MOBILE, Ala., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Mobile, Ala., Mayor Sam Jones apprehended a burglar he says broke into his truck and garage, and police said the suspect was "mentally ill to some degree."
Jones told police he returned home from running errands Tuesday night and found James Wilkerson of Moss Point rummaging through his garage and took action, WALA-TV, Mobile, reported.
The Mobile Press-Register said the major declined to comment on the episode. Jones' spokeswoman, Barbara Drummond, said he noticed his truck had been tampered with and his garage door was open, pulled out his .38-caliber pistol and went in the garage where he saw a shirtless man.
Drummond said when Jones asked the man what he was doing, he replied "the Lord sent him." The man started to approach Jones, who warned him to stop or he would be shot, Drummond said.
Mobile Police Chief Micheal T. Williams said the mayor held the man at gunpoint until police arrived, WALA-TV said.
Wilkerson is charged with third-degree burglary and unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle.
The chief said the arresting officers noticed the suspect made some odd comments "so we determined that he was mentally ill to some degree."
"The mayor did not know him, and it's my understanding that Mr. Wilkerson did not know this was the mayor's home," Williams said.
