'Get the f*** out of my yard:' Ring camera halts suspected home break-in

Frank Johnson, 37, of Port Orange, arrested after pics shared with deputies

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man posing as an AC repairmen was arrested shortly after a Volusia County homeowner -- who wasn't home -- was alerted on his phone by his Ring security camera that someone was at his door, deputies said.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said Frank Johnson, 37, of Port Orange, was arrested Wednesday on nine charges.

Sheriff's officials said the homeowner, Steve Ludwig, was alerted to the incident around 10 a.m., and he shared images of the man and his vehicle with the Volusia County Crime Center, which monitors the Ring Neighborhood portal for similar cases.

"I woke up to an alert on my phone that said you know, someone's at your front door," Ludwig said.

Ludwig was also able to use an app to talk to the suspected burglar. “Hey, dude, get the f*** out of my yard. The cops are on the way," he said. Johnson walked away from the home and left the area in his vehicle, sheriff's officials said.

A deputy spotted the truck around 11:23 a.m. and pulled the vehicle over, later arresting Johnson on several active warrants for grand theft, dealing in stolen property and other charges, along with new charges of attempted burglary, according to officials.

Deputies said the Ring video showed Johnson arriving in his burgundy pickup at the home on Granada Avenue and walking up to knock on the front door. After receiving no answer, Johnson pulled on the door handle, then went to the back of the house, peered in the windows and tried the back door, according to deputies.

The homeowner then intervened.

"Got to love the look on his face when he realizes there have been advancements in home security technology," Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.

Ludwig said he's thankful to deputies.

"I owe the credit to them. They're the ones that arrested him. All I did was woke up when I heard the noise," he said.

Deputies said Johnson was wearing the same hat, A/C repair shirt, shorts and flip-flops as seen in the video when he was arrested.

Johnson is being held on $28,000 bond.


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Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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