NH woman helps nab 2 suspects with broom

WINDHAM, Mass. (WHDH) -- A woman in Windham, New Hampshire stopped an alleged break-in at a neighbor’s home by scaring away the suspects with a broom.

It happened right as Katherine Reader was cooking dinner Thursday afternoon.

“And I could see right from my stove, right out my window,” Reader explained.

Police say what she saw was a home break-in underway at her neighbor’s house. But Reader wasn't having it, so she armed herself with a broom, and walked over.

“And it made me so angry that they broke into her house, so I just picked up the broom and I kept saying, ‘Don’t go anywhere, stay where you are, I got you covered,’” Reader said.

She came face-to-face with one of the suspects; her bold entrance apparently spooked him.

Windham police say the two suspects tried to run but didn't get far. Reader was on their tail.

“And I'm swinging the broom back and forth like I’m really going to hurt this guy, right? Well, I made him so nervous he backed right into a snow bank and couldn’t get out,” Reader said.

Burnt rubber could be seen in the pile of snow.

“Luck was not on their side today,” said Detective Bryan Bliss, Windham, New Hampshire Police Department.

Police say the home has been hit before -- but the big mystery is why. The home is up for sale, and there's virtually nothing of value inside.

“I do not advocate other people to do it. Go home, call 911,” Reader said.

Both suspects will appear in court Friday morning.