http://www.idahostatesman.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050517/NEWS01/505170336

Caldwell man uses pistol to stop intruder

Sandra Forester
 05-17-2005

"I batted him on the head with the pistol. That didn't get no attention. He turned on me. I put a bullet in the cement wall," Harlow said.

The man ran to the furnace room, turned and the two men struggled again, Harlow said.

"I told him I was going to shoot him if he didn't stop," Harlow said. "I protected my family and I protected myself."

Caldwell police officers arrived about that time to take the man into custody.

Jesus Flores, 19, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault, unlawful entry and malicious injury to property. He was taken to a local hospital for a checkup because of his increased heart rate and then to Canyon County jail. He was released on Monday.

The Harlows have lived in the old Caldwell neighborhood between Van Buren Elementary School and the Canyon County Courthouse for about 50 years. The neighborhood is a mix of commercial, industrial, county government, social agencies, some small homes and a trailer park.

The Harlows say drugs and crime are a problem in their neighborhood.

"This area is full of drugs. It's got to be stopped," Harlow said.

The couple said officers are called to the area regularly.

"We've had a lot of trouble," Jan Harlow said.

She said they've had their mailbox smashed, a motorcycle stolen and other vandalism.

The couple said trouble started about nine years ago and escalated. In response, they keep loaded the pistol that Warren Harlow has had for more than 50 years.

"That's how scared we are," Jan Harlow said.

Police Chief Robert Sobba said an officer will visit the Harlows to talk about their concerns.

He said the area was part of the city's failed bid for a federal grant to help curb crime.

The neighborhood has about the same amount of crime as other parts of the city, Sobba said, though he did not have any crime statistics.

"There aren't tons of calls there," he said.