ARARAT TOWNSHIP -- State police say a 76-year-old woman in Susquehanna County was able to chase off an intruder who broke into her home early Monday morning.
Investigators say the man took off after the woman pulled a shot gun on him.
State police say it was inside a house east of Harford that a 76-year-old woman stood her ground and chased off an intruder.
Troopers say Carole Motsko of Ararat Township heard noises downstairs around 1:30 Monday morning.
She called 911, grabbed her shotgun and confronted the man at the bottom of the stairs, yelling a warning at him.
Police say the man took off from Motsko's home with only her purse.
At Arlo's Tavern nearby, Motsko's actions were the talk of the night.
“This woman was in her house in the middle of the night by herself and thank goodness she had a gun and she threatened him, then he ran, I mean, he took her purse,” said Marianne Korty.
“I think she did the right thing. She has every right to protect what is hers and she did the right thing,” said Kelly Ford.
“I would have done the same thing,” said Michelle Calafut. “Exactly the same thing. I have guns in my house. I would have done the same thing.”
Motsko did not want to talk on camera but says she has a shotgun for this exact reason - to protect herself and her home.
She says anyone breaking into her home should expect to have her gun pulled on them.
“Nobody has the right to break into or steal somebody else's property so she was protecting what's hers,” said Ford.
“Oh absolutely, absolutely. Well, they better be careful because a lot of women are brave,” said Korty.
State police in Susquehanna County say Motsko fired no shots from her gun.
Troopers say they are investigating the break-in.