Published: July 03, 2008 12:42 pm      

Teen foils burglary

13-year-old keeps cool, calls 911 during home invasion

Ada — An Ada teen, central dispatch and Ada police worked together to nab a man who reportedly broke into the girl’s home Monday morning.

When 13-year-old T.J. Freeman heard someone breaking into her home she knew exactly what to do. Just before 8 a.m., she heard dogs barking and the sound of breaking glass in the downstairs area of her home.

She quickly ran to the edge of the stairwell to see what the noise was. She looked down the stairs and saw a bearded man climbing through the window. With cell phone in hand, she hid in a bedroom closet and dialed 911.

“I was in my closet trying to be far away from the door so he wouldn’t hear me talking,” T.J. Freeman said.

She said she was very scared in her closet, not only for herself but for her little sisters, Morgan, 9, and Makayla, 6, whom she was babysitting while her parents were at work.

“They were downstairs and he was between us so I couldn’t get to them,” she said.

As she was calling 911, T.J. sat almost overwhelmed with fear and could hear the man moving around downstairs. She used her cell phone because the family’s home phone makes noise when the buttons are pressed and she didn’t want the burglar to hear, she said.

Certified 911 Dispatcher Wes Haney handled the emergency on the other end of the line. While the call went out to Ada police, Haney stayed on the line with T.J. reassuring her and getting as much information as possible, while at the same time relaying information from T.J. to police.

“He was very kind,” T.J. said.

As she was quietly talking to Haney, the man began to walk up the stairs. As he neared the top of the stairwell, Ada police arrived and the man fled to a downstairs bedroom, T.J. said.

Officers Casey Northcutt, Jason Mosley, Mike Meeks and Detective Tracy Jackson stormed the house going through the window and kicking in the front door.

The officers found Teddy Hammond, 38, in a downstairs bedroom, according to a report.

“As we entered the bedroom, we found Hammond attempting to hide in a closet,” Mosley reported. “He was ordered to the ground and placed under arrest.”

T.J. said she was very relieved to hear the police. She said she learned how to call 911 in an emergency from her parents and at church and school.

“Basically I’ve been told my whole life and this is the first time I’ve had to use it,” she said “I’m grateful I knew what to do.”

Shawn Freeman, T.J.’s mother, said the Ada police showed up, arrested Hammond and had him taken away by the time she got to the home from work, which was 19 minutes from the time the first call went out.

“The Ada police did such an incredible job getting here fast,” Shawn Freeman said. “They did such a good job. T.J. did an amazing job. She remained calm and did what needed to be done, too.”

“All I want to say is the Ada police did an excellent job,” said T.J.’s father Bobby Freeman. “They got here really fast.”

Hammond was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary. Jackson said he is being held on a $50,000 bond and has warrants in other counties. Mosley said $18 in change and other items were found on Hammond which he reportedly confessed to stealing from the Freeman’s home.

Pontotoc County 911 Coordinator Kim Fox said T.J. Freeman did a great job.

“She was very worried and (Haney) was very concerned about keeping her calm,” Fox said. “And assuring her everything was OK and letting her know what the officers were doing. She followed instructions to the letter.”

“I’m also very proud of our dispatcher. He did wonderful and followed procedure very carefully. He’s very well trained.”