Date: Thu, 15 Jun 1995 14:05:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Richard L. Hartman" <[r l h] at [comtch.iea.com]>
Subject: Re: Can you re-send a file?

On Thu, 15 Jun 1995, Jerry Stratton wrote:

> Due to a bug in my system, I lost an SDN notice for
>   CA Fresno 1995-06-11
> Can you re-send it to me? I'm trying to archive these notices.

<confirmed incident>

     WHAT:     Elderly Man Fends Off Fugitive
     WHEN:     Sunday, June 11, 1995
    WHERE:     Fresno, California
 REPORTED:     Fresno Bee Newspaper
CONFIRMED:     Mr. Royal Calkins at Fresno Bee, 209-441-6111

DETAILS: 67 year old Earl Tiller used two handguns to defend himself and
his wife from one of Sacramento's most wanted, Robert Byron Rutledge, age
32.

Rutledge dove through the bedroom window and began wrestling with Tiller,
who retrieved a Derringer-style handgun. As Rutledge managed to wrestle the
handgun away, Tiller's wife tried to escape by running down the hall.

Rutledge gave chase, caught the wife, and dragged her back into the
bedroom.  During this time, the Tiller retreived a SECOND handgun, a .380
caliber semiautomatic.

After Rutledge threw the wife on the bed, the Tiller opened fire on and hit
Rutledge twice.  Rutledge ran into the bathroom momentarily; upon exiting,
Tiller shot him twice more as he made his escape. Rutledge was shot a total
of four times, in the chest, knee, hand, and elbow.

Rutledge sought medical treatment in Los Banos, and claimed to be the
victim of a drive-by shooting.  He was transferred to a Modesto hospital
where Fresno investigators questioned and arrested him.

Officials stated that Rutledge was wanted for at least 15 home invasion
robberies throughout Northern Calif. His large number of crimes - and their
violence - had made him the subject of a Crime Watch Alert, but police had
so far been unable to find him. Sacramento authorities said his crimes
included the "vicious beatings" of an 83 year old man, a 78 year old man,
and a 53 year old woman during robberies earlier this year.

Rutledge spent six years in prison and was parolled in December 1994.
Apparently he returned immediately to his criminal career. He has been
charged with robbery for this most recent break-in.

COMMENTS: Yet another case where innocent citizens were protected by
personal firearms against a convicted, career criminal. What if Tiller had
not had a handgun? What if he had not had a SECOND handgun? Rutledge's 83
year old, 78 year old, and 53 year old victims already know the answer. And
they probably have an opinion regarding early parole for convicted
criminals, too.

Be sure to call your local newspaper and radio/TV stations about this
story!

Richard L. Hartman
Spokane WA USA