Property manager holds teen burglar at gunpoint

Ashley Paul
·2 min read
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The property manager of an East Memphis home says a teen broke in and ransacked it, but the most that teen got was quite a scare and a trip to jail.

The property manager told WREG he walked into his East Memphis construction property earlier Thursday and found shattered glass, kicked-in walls, and wet paint everywhere.

“To see this, just uncalled for. I was speechless,” he said.

But perhaps even more shocking is the person believed to be responsible was still inside.

“When I went in through the front door, I heard someone inside,” he said. “So when I went around the side door, I met a gentleman at the door and I held him at gunpoint until police arrived.”

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Memphis Police responded to the home around noon and took a teenager into custody. The property owner says the boy is just 16 years old, but he believes that to do this kind of damage, the teen probably didn’t work alone.

“We’re dealing with a very high rate of vandalism and thefts at our rental properties. We have about 75 vacant homes, and we are getting hit at least three or four a week. That’s a big problem for us,” the property manager said.

He says oftentimes the culprits will steal HVAC systems and other equipment. It’s frustrating, it’s disappointing, and it’s costly.

This house was move-in ready and now will be set back 4-6 weeks. The property manager says there is nearly $30,000 worth of damage.

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“We manage for the owners, and the owners are hard-working people just like us,” he said. “And they’re going to have to take their hard-earned money and put it in to repair this property for someone else that absolutely did not care and just came in and damaged everything for no reason.”

While one teen is in custody, the property manager says he won’t stop until the burglary and vandalism does. He has a message for the criminals who do this.

“Please get a job. There’s so many jobs out there. Just get a job and go to church. Be a better person,” he said.

MPD says it expects charges against the teen will be filed on Saturday. If you know anyone else involved in these crimes, you’re asked to contact CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH.

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