ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A homeowner in Altamonte Springs, Fla., who pummeled and broke the nose of a hooded armed burglary suspect inside his home was shocked to discover the intruder was a 17-year-old girl who apparently committed the crime because she was bored, according to police.
Investigators said homeowner Dean Heinrich awoke at 5:45 a.m. Sunday after hearing a noise inside his house located in the 500 block of San Sebastian Heights and discovered the intruder standing in his bedroom.
"I was pretty upset," Heinrich said.
Heinrich said he immediately jumped up and punched the hooded thief in the head.
He said he tackled the dark figure, grabbed shoe laces and a belt and hog-tied the culprit.
Heinrich said he then discovered the intruder was a young girl.
Police identified the girl as Briana Hurley, 17.
"For one thing, you don't want to think a 17-year-old girl is out robbing houses in the middle of the night," Heinrich said.
Hurley's nose was broken when her face slammed into the floor during the incident but she could have been killed, police said.
"This young girl is extremely lucky that she was not shot and killed in this type of situation," Altamonte Springs police Officer Kristin Kelting said.
"If Heinrich had a gun, the law would have likely fallen on his side," Local 6's Jessica D'Onofrio said.
"Since she was inside his home, trying to steal his property while he was sleeping, a reasonable person has the right to defend themselves and their property," Kelting said.
The girl was in possession of nearly $1,400 in stolen property and a knife, according to Altamonte Springs police.
According to a police report, Hurley told officers that she did it because she was bored and planned to sell the items found in her possession on the street.
Hurley was charged with several felonies for the burglary, including armed burglary of a dwelling and burglary to a structure or conveyance and four misdemeanor charges that include drug possession and theft, police said.
Altamonte Springs police said the girl burglarized several vehicles in the 500 block of San Sebastian Prado.
"I hope she learns her lesson, which probably won't happen," Heinrich said.
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