WASHINGTON COUNTY, OREGON — A woman and responding police officers got a good laugh after realizing that no danger was present when she thought an intruder was in her bathroom.
The woman called police to report the intruder, saying that he had locked himself in the bathroom. She also said that she could see a shadow moving under the door.
Seven minutes later, police had the home surrounded and were giving commands to the intruder via a loudspeaker. They could hear movement inside the bathroom, but their calls went unanswered.
After 10 minutes of no communication with the intruder, police went in with their guns ready.
What they found would result in immediate relief and laughter.
BURGLARY SUSPECT CAPTURED
1:48pm: Reporting party calls 911 and says someone is in her bathroom. Tells dispatch the person has the bathroom door locked. The caller can see shadows under the bathroom door.
1:49pm: Multiple deputies respond to the house.
1:55pm: Deputies surround the house and request a canine to assist them. Deputies can hear noise coming from the bathroom
2:05pm: After several announcements, the suspect does not come out when commanded. With guns drawn, deputies open the door to encounter the suspect… An automated robot vacuum.
2:13pm: Deputy Rogers clears the call with the following note, “As we entered the home we could hear “rustling” in the bathroom. We made several announcements and the “rustling” became more frequent. We breached the bathroom door and encountered a very thorough vacuuming job being done by a Roomba Robotic Vacuum cleaner.”
Better safe than sorry, I say. But let’s remember that we are our first responders, especially since this woman was on her own for 7 minutes while waiting for police to arrive. If she were the only one home, her best option would have been to get over to a neighbor’s home and out of harm’s way while on the phone with police.
And if it were me, I’d probably be outside the locked door, gun on the door, police on the phone.
All said and done, this woman did the right thing by calling police and having them handle a potentially bad situation. When it comes to your own safety and the safety of your family and your home, you can never be too cautious.
Makes you wonder though; how many unreported Roomba invasions happen?
I once drew my gun on a balloon in the front room that hit the fan. It sounded like someone breaking into the window. Obviously it wasn’t, but we got a good laugh.
