Molino Homeowner Holds Burglary Suspects At Gunpoint

February 12, 2021

A Molino homeowner held two burglar suspects on the ground at gunpoint until deputies arrived.

Jonathan David Franklin, 27, was charged with loitering and prowling, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance, introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and tampering with evidence. Steven Cody Liechty, 31 with loitering and prowling, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“If these two would have been working or doing something productive, a law-abiding citizen would not have had to risk his own safety to put a stop to their actions. We are glad no one was hurt by their criminal endeavor. Don’t steal other people’s property,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said.

Deputies arrived in the 4000 block of Molino Road to find the homeowner holding Franklin and Liechty at gunpoint on the ground in his backyard.

Franklin told deputies that he and Liechty tried to push-start their Honda Civic when it broke down, and they had coasted into the victim’s yard. The vehicle was about 40 yards behind the house near the wood line. An arrest report states a bolt-action rifle and a revolver were found in the Honda Civic. Both weapons were loaded.

The victim told deputies he arrived at home to find the duo and believed they were breaking into his home. Je pulled out his handgun and ordered them to the ground as his wife dialed 911.

They are also accused in the burglary of a 2006 Dodge truck at a neighboring residence. The vehicle owner provided video allegedly showing the duo breaking into his truck and taking a backpack containing numerous hunting items worth about $900. The backpack was discovered in the suspects’ Honda Civic. According to the ECSO, Liechty was wearing a hat and sunglasses taken during the vehicle burglary at the time of his arrest.

As Franklin stepped out of the deputy’s vehicle at the jail, a clear bag containing methamphetamine was discovered. When Franklin was searched, four old coins and pearls were discovered on his person, according to the report.

Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday afternoon. Franklin’s bond was set at $56,000, and Liechty’s bond was set $46,000.

Comments

21 Responses to “Molino Homeowner Holds Burglary Suspects At Gunpoint”

  1. John on February 15th, 2021 2:05 pm

    The facts as stated do not justify killing someone. This homeowner did the right thing by not shooting them. If the morons had tried to attack the homeowner during the wait for police it could easily have turned into a situation justifying shooting. Bad Guys must be coming inside the house to justify shooting them, OR, bad guys must be close proximity and assaulting the person to justify. You CANNOT justify shooting someone for trespassing on your property… remember, they must be coming into your home (generally).

  2. Jr on February 14th, 2021 7:22 am

    Great job by the HOMEOWNERS in quickly getting this taken care in THE RIGHT WAY. Those two were up to no good and had already been taped breaking into another vehicle. I despise those that are lazy and on this dope that thinks they can steal whatever they want…I’m glad they got caught and that the HOMEOWNER acted in a “controlled” manner… to those below that stated what would happen if this pair was in their yard…you just don’t know how foolish your responses sound. As the other person stated, you don’t talk about taking a life if you’ve already taken one. That’s a feeling that I’m sure you really don’t want to LIVE WITH the REST OF YOUR LIFE.

  3. Dylan l Marquis on February 13th, 2021 7:50 pm

    Its a shame when you start seeing people you went to school with on the news..

  4. Rasheed Jackson on February 13th, 2021 9:37 am

    Good job by the home owner. He was calm in a stressful situation and two thugs are behind bars and no one is dead. The thugs did use some common sence. Thy complied with the home owners commands.

  5. Miller on February 13th, 2021 6:35 am

    Well Franklin looks at Liechty and says did you bring the map. Liechty says no Franklin you were supposed to draw it on my 5-head.
    Seriously though I hope the families on all sides are ok.

  6. neighbor on February 13th, 2021 6:24 am

    Well said Bob C. You too Bill.

  7. paul d on February 13th, 2021 4:07 am

    knowing these homeowners their property is their priority and the safety of their family is paramount and when someone invades there domain then they have to pay the concequences..well done homeowner..you provided us with a major service .thankyou.

  8. M on February 12th, 2021 9:22 pm

    What a bunch of morons. Anyone with a brain knows the majority of us are armed out here and it’s not our first rodeo holding and firing a gun. Big shout out to the homeowner. Glad your safe from another Molino resident to another.

  9. bob c on February 12th, 2021 8:25 pm

    @ JTV
    You can be the greatest deer and rabbit hunter in all of the world.
    HOWEVER, the first time you take a Human Life it Changes YOU Forever.
    Thankfully, this homeowner knew how and when to use his weapon and how to contact the ECSO.
    Thankfully, the ESCO officers arrived seemingly quickly and hadled the situation in a Lawful manner.

    Homeowner, You did the RIGHT Thing tonight. You protected yourself, family, property and apprehended two thugs in the APPROPRIATE Manner. You are GREAT.
    Now, let the law and court handle these thugs.

  10. JTV on February 12th, 2021 8:23 pm

    Afg Vet
    Come in my back yard and find out how I deal with criminals.. I’m positive you weren’t trained to shoot to wound. If you were, I don’t believe the afg Vet moniker you’ve given yourself

  11. Bill on February 12th, 2021 8:08 pm

    The home owner successfully protected his family and his property and did it in a way where instead of the grief of worrying about whether the use of deadly force was legally justified he can now continue to focus his energy on providing for his family. That was a high stress situation and it sounds like he handled it perfectly.

    It’s also a nice win for the second amendment.

  12. AfgVet on February 12th, 2021 6:30 pm

    JTV, you shoot to kill? How many people have you actually shot at? My guess is zero. No one who has ever shot at anyone talks like that.

  13. David on February 12th, 2021 6:19 pm

    I woulda done this I woulda done that….you imbeciles would have been in jail. Idiots with guns on the loose are the most illegal uneducated clowns that want a chance to bow up and throw out your chest.

    Extremely uneducated when you can shoot someone. Idiots!
    How about you losers going on facebook and see if you can gather some likes..

    Thats about your I.Q. maxed out

  14. paul on February 12th, 2021 6:19 pm

    Prison for both 25 years – the revolving door justice for the dregs that continue to prey on society needs to stop, just put’em away.

  15. Tc on February 12th, 2021 5:54 pm

    Should have done everyone a favor & shot both of these thieves . Bet they are back on the loose terrorizing the neighborhood again by next week .

  16. MAH on February 12th, 2021 5:53 pm

    What a pair of maroons

  17. JTV on February 12th, 2021 5:44 pm

    Nice homeowners hold burglars at gun point, I shoot to kill.

  18. Just me on February 12th, 2021 5:13 pm

    Good thing this wasn’t my home police wouldn’t have been needed. Busy most definitely two body bags for those low life pieces of scum!

  19. Neighbor on February 12th, 2021 5:13 pm

    These boys are lucky to be breathing right now! Good job homeowner! Not sure of the circumstances but I don’t think I would have told them to get on the ground. They could have had the loaded guns on them and shot before I could. This is why we carry weapons for all of you out there that thinks it’s crazy to carry a gun all of the time. You never know when you are going to run up on a bonehead like these two

  20. Jason on February 12th, 2021 4:41 pm

    Kudo’s to the home owner who was able to catch these criminals on his property and hold them until deputies arrived. Hopefully, those who may have been victims of these guys will also come forward and additional charges can be obtained.

    Good work to all involved.

  21. chris on February 12th, 2021 4:14 pm

    ” two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon” boy those gun laws sure work good!