Girl dialed 999 after man tried to get into her home
A quick-thinking teenager foiled a would-be thief when she alerted cops to the crook trying to break into her home.
The young woman, who was alone in her parents’ house in Craw Road, Paisley, heard a glass window being smashed at around 3.30pm on Tuesday.
As the man attempted to make his way inside, the terrified teen dialled 999 to alert the cops.
Police were on the street, near to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, within minutes but the suspect had already fled the scene empty handed.
However, an eagle-eyed neighbour, who witnessed the man running away from the teen’s house, gave officers a description of him.
And they managed to track him down a short time later in nearby Maxwellton Road.
Last night, Paisley Inspector Tracy Harkins, who is based in Mill Street, heaped praise on the frightened young woman who had the presence of mind to call the cops as the crime unfolded.
She said: “Police were called to a report of an attempted break-in at a home in Craw Road, Paisley, at around 3.30pm.
“The suspect, who broke a window but never managed to gain entry to the house, was traced nearby in Maxwellton Road by officers.”
She added: “It must have been a frightening experience for the teenager, who was alone at the time, but her actions made sure the suspect was detained.
“I would encourage anyone who notices any suspicious activity at their home, or at a neighbour’s home, to contact police immediately to help tackle the problem of housebreaking in Paisley.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman last night told the Paisley Daily Express a 57-year-old man was due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court in connection with housebreaking charges.
It must have been a frightening experience for the teenager, who was alone at the time Inspector Tracy Harkins