A Good Neighbor Comes to the Rescue

If you’ve had a bad neighbor, the experience teaches you that a good neighbor is like gold.

    No doubt Diane Brown of Spartanburg is giving thanks for her good neighbor.

    News Channel 7’s Chris Cato brought you the story of this morning’s home invasion in the Beaumont community.

    Brown and her nine-year-old grandson were the victims.

    Brown was up early.  She entered her kitchen and was confronted by two masked men with guns.  She tells Chris the men put a gun to her head and said, “Where’s your wallet?  Where’s your money?“

    Her grandson entered the room.  Brown says one of the bandits told the boy to open his mouth.  He put a gun in the boy’s mouth.

    As she tried to protect her grandson, one of the robbers pistol-whipped Brown, leaving her bloody.

    The situation was becoming more and more dangerous.

    Fortunately, Brown’s neighbor, 19-year-old Robert Kirk, likes to get up early, “In bed at 9, up at 4 everyday.“  Private First Class Kirk just completed National Guard basic training.

    He heard the commotion next door and got closer for a better look.  “That’s when I saw the one in the white t-shirt actually holding the gun to the lady’s head.“

    Kirk called 911.  Public Safety officers were on the scene fast.  They caught one of the robbers, a 16-year-old.  Tonight they’re searching for the other.

    Police also recovered the victims’ valuables the crooks had taken:  the keys to Brown’s car, her TV, her cell phone, $30 cash, even the grandson’s piggy bank.

    Yes, the bandits took a child’s piggy bank!

    The bad guys had guns and had pistol-whipped a 68-year-old woman.  This crime could’ve taken an even more terrible turn had the neighbor not gotten involved.

    And Robert Kirk says his involvement won’t stop there.  He plans to stay on guard.  “I’m gonna make sure I’m on this porch every half-hour if I have to.“

    Folks, a good neighbor is like gold.