LEROY, Ala. — A would-burglar is dead after allegedly being caught in the act and detained by an Alabama man who says he did not intend to kill the robber, but was sick and tired of his home being burglarized.
Cleveland Gully, 31, was found dead and bound to a tree. 68-year-old Nathaniel Johnson told police he caught Gully redhanded, chased him down and tied him up with duct tape over his mouth, but has no idea how he died.
The New York Daily News explains:
Johnson told police he had been burglarized several times recently, and decided to set a trap to catch the next would-be thief. He parked his car down the street to make it seem like no one was home, and put sideview car mirrors near his windows.
Around midnight, he heard someone — Gully — allegedly breaking his backdoor lock.
Police said Johnson chased Gully down, tied his hands behind his back, duct-taped his mouth and wrapped him to the tree with electrical tape and clothesline. He then went to call the police.
“I would say this is a very unusual case,” Washington County Sheriff Richard Stringer told local Fox affiliate WALA.
Sheriff Stringer questioned Mr. Johnson extensively, but says he is not sure at this point if any charges will be filed.
Mr. Gully’s family reacted with shock.
“I was surprised that it happened,” said Michael Gully, the deceased’s uncle. “He just wasn’t a violent person that I know of.”
Neighbors said Mr. Gully had gained a reputation for burglarizing homes in the area but said they did not believe Mr. Johnson meant to kill him.
The sheriff agrees.
“I don’t think he was intending to kill the intruder,” he said. “I think he wanted to caputre him and have him arrested.”
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