The intruder

It was 3:11 a.m.
The dog was barking and growling, going crazy.
The light was on in the kitchen.
Barely awake, I was conscious enough to be annoyed with Mike for falling asleep on the couch and
leaving the lights on.
But, that wasn't the case.
I was instantly awake when I heard things crashing in the garage and Mike ran back in the house yelling, "Call the cops."
That was my experience early Sunday morning, August 26.
Our house was broken into, someone was standing in my kitchen and money was stolen from Mike's wallet all while we were asleep. Not cool. Thank God for dogs.
Haley was barking and growling like I'd never heard before. Mike and I were both awakened, but from a deep sleep, it's hard to process the what and why. Mike jumped from bed knowing that Haley won't bark like that for no reason. I woke up about the time Mike was walking out the bedroom door. I saw that the kitchen light was on, and I remember feeling a bit annoyed that Mike left the lights on and fell asleep on the couch. Even though I knew he got out of bed beside me, that's what I thought. Because why else would the kitchen lights be on while we're soundly sleeping?
Haley was still barking and I remember Mike yelling, "HEY!" and then nothing but crashes and bangs from the garage. By now I was in the hallway having grabbed the handgun from my night stand drawer. I was awake enough to know that something was not right. I had no idea what. I hunkered down in the hallway not knowing what was going on in the garage and too scared to move any further past the safety of walls. I didn't know what I was going to stumble upon and find. I was scared to death. A few seconds later Mike came rushing in from the garage and calmly but very firmly said "call the cops." I knew instantly that someone was in my house, and that Mike chased the person out and that's why the cops need to come.
I was shocked. By now I was fully awake, it's still hard to process that someone was in your house only minutes before. Someone you didn't invite. Someone, who in the instant he walked through the door, stole my sense of security and comfort from me.
Mike dialed 911 and first told the dispatcher not to send anyone because the robber was gone. I interrupted the conversation and told them to send someone. I thought it would make me feel better.
The K9 unit came from Cambridge because no Braham cops were on duty (don't get me started on that...). The officer got a description from Mike and then he and the dog went through our backyard and took off on the scent of the intruder.
Minutes later, Kanabec County officers showed up along with the Braham officer (who got out of bed). The K9 officer tracked the intruder and had him in custody. They brought him back to our house, shined a light on his face and Mike positively identified him. He was put under arrest and taken to jail.
Mike finished recording his statement. I learned that the crashing in the garage was the intruder pushing things behind him for Mike to trip on. He was successful. (Days later Mike had a giant, nasty, black bruise on his torso and leg.) The officers left. We were left alone in silence again. Only then did we think to look for wallets and keys and anything that might have been stolen. We were originally asked if we thought anything was stolen. After looking for obvious disruptions, we thought not. But, Mike had money stolen from his wallet. Nothing large, just about $32. Credit cards and other things on the kitchen table were left alone. Mike called the K9 officer to tell him that money was stolen.
That being the case, the intruder was charged with 1st Degree Burglary because the dwelling was occupied and materials stolen.
Fast forward to now.
We've been to three court appearances for Jordan Parro, 19, of Braham. He was given a hefty bail and conditions of release, which we are very happy with. He has a criminal history-- a long one. He's still in jail, having no money to make bail, apparently. Thankfully.
We learned today that the case is going to trial. I'm surprised, but I hope that it ends in our favor.
I hate staying home alone at night. I've done it once, and I couldn't fall asleep and barely slept at all that night. Parro has taken away my sense of security, and I hate him for breaking into my house.
It's not a good feeling.
When we re-tell the story, people always make comments like, "I'd have shot him the second I saw him."
I tell them they wouldn't. No matter how tough-guy you talk, unless this same scenario has happened to you, you NEVER can predict how you'll react. We both were barely awake and the last thing you think of is grabbing the gun and pulling the trigger.
Yes, I walked out the the bedroom with the gun (we both have carry permits and know well how to shoot a gun), but it wasn't with the intent to use it. Your first instinct is to run-- whether towards something or away from it. In this case, Mike ran after the intruder with the intent to grab him and beat the sh*t out of him! He admits to that! He said he never thought about grabbing the gun and chasing after the kid.
So, now we wait for the trail to start.
Holy cow-- what a night!
Thank God for Haley and thank God for the K9 Officer named Kojak.

Read more about it here:
http://isanticountynews.com/2012/08/27/braham-man-arrested-for-burglary/
http://www.presspubs.com/isanti/crime/article_03154c26-f2d1-11e1-aaa3-0019bb2963f4.html

Note that the facts don't seem to be right, but I guess we'll never know unless someone decides to tell the truth.