Mayor chases down burglary suspect

RED OAK, Iowa, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- An Iowa mayor said he jumped in his car and chased down a suspected burglar spotted approaching the back of his home.

Red Oak Mayor Bill Billings said he was home with his wife Meshell, daughter Jessica Skalberg, 24, and Jessica's 19-month-old son about 9:15 p.m. Friday when his 16-year-old daughter pulled into the driveway and spotted a man approaching the back door of the home, the Omaha (Neb.) World reported Thursday.

Courtney called her sister, who then alerted their father.

The mayor said he followed footprints in the snow from his backdoor toward the city's downtown and, using his Lexus, soon caught up to the suspect.

"He wasn't very smart. He picked the wrong house, and he sure shouldn't have been wearing orange pants," Billings said.

Billings called police and officers were able to cut the man off as he was fleeing Billings.

Police said they believe the man, whose name was not released, burglarized a garage before approaching Billings' home.

The man was charged with second-degree burglary, attempted second-degree burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.