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OREM — An Orem resident jumped into action Saturday when she found an intruder in her home. But it wasn't long before the rest of the neighborhood chipped in to help take down a convicted felon.
The sound of crashing CD cases woke Gina McBride up around 8:30 Saturday morning. She had just put her 4-month-old son back to bed, in their home near 400 West and 2000 South.
When McBride came down the hallway to investigate, she found an intruder standing by the back door and ran after him.
It was just instinctual to go after him.
–Gina McBride, Orem resident
"It never crossed my mind, never crossed my mind," she said. "It was just instinctual to go after him."
McBride chased the intruder out the back door, through her backyard and into a nearby park. After all, the man had taken their laptop out of the living room.
During the 10- to 15-minute chase, McBride said she was trying to flag down cars. Allen Cuch, who also lives at McBride's home, heard the commotion, ran outside, got in his car and gave chase as well.
"As I was braking, he just kind of fell on top of my car," Cuch said. "He was kind of taken by surprise. I don't think he actually thought I'd go that far with my car."
Neighbors and Cuch had cornered the suspect. His pants had fallen down so they allowed him to compose himself, and through the process he got away.
Fortunately, he didn't get far.
"The cops caught up with him behind the roundabout, and that's where they made the arrest," McBride said.
Brandon Rowley was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary. His accomplice, Lyndsey Vence, was also taken into custody.
"We suspect it's drug-related," said Orem Police Lt. Todd Mallison.
Rowley had to be tackled by police before he was arrested, so he's also facing a charge of evading arrest.
The stolen property was recovered undamaged.
