With presence of mind and gun in hand...

A homeowner captured a robbery suspect in Gwinnett County, Georgia.

From a news release put out this afternoon by Gwinnett Police (emphasis added): 

On November 1, 2011 at about 4:30 PM, Gwinnett County police officers responded to a reported carjacking at 765 Sunset Ridge Lane in unincorporated Lawrenceville.  Officers met with the victim, Robin Watkins (W/M, 46 years old), near the intersection of Simonton Road and Madison Chase Way.  Watkins reported that he was at the incident location to paint the house and had been working on it for the past two days.  He was behind the house painting when he heard his vehicle (a black 1985 Chevy pick-up truck) start up in the driveway.  

Watkins ran around the house and saw the suspect, Albert Lee Hughes Jr. (B/M, 39 years old), sitting in the driver seat.  Hughes attempted to pull out onto the street and the truck stalled.  Watkins jumped into the bed of the truck as Hughes got it started again.  Hughes drove away with Watkins in the bed.

According to Watkins and witnesses, Hughes drove erratically, swerving and hitting curbs.  Watkins felt that Hughes was trying to dislodge him from the bed of the truck.  When the truck pulled over, Watkins jumped out.  Hughes abandoned the vehicle a short distance away and fled on foot. 

Several officers responded to the area to begin a search.  The GCPD police helicopter responded to assist in the search.  Other units responding to assist included the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the Lawrenceville K-9 Unit, and the Norcross K-9 Unit. 

At about 5:45 PM Russell Gray (W/M, 55 years old) arrived in the area.  He was returning from work to his residence in the 500 block of Savannah Rose Way.  Gray was told that a search was underway for a suspect.  He returned to his home and decided to check it thoroughly.  Gray checked his home with his personal gun in hand, and located Hughes hiding in his basement.  He ordered the suspect back outside at gunpoint.  Officers were in the immediate area and took Hughes into custody. 

Officers confirmed the suspect’s identity, and determined that he lived across the street (776 Sunset Ridge Lane) from the location where he stole the truck.  He is currently in custody at the Gwinnett County Detention Center.  Hughes has been charged with one count of Robbery and one count of Aggravated Assault.  He will also be charged with one count of Criminal Trespass for entering Gray’s home.