GIRL'S CALL HELPS POLICE NAB BURGLAR

BENTON, Mo. -- A 12-year-old girl's call to the Scott County Sheriff's Department while a burglar was in her home was the key to deputies later making an arrest, the sheriff said.

"We had a frightened little girl who stayed calm and did exactly the right things, calling 911 and watching the man as he left," Sheriff Bill Ferrell said.

The girl was at home when she heard someone breaking the glass on a back door and entering, Ferrell said. She hid in a bedroom while making the 911 call. The girl gave a physical description of the man, as well as describing his clothing and the color and style of his vehicle.

"Without her valuable assistance, we might never have solved this burglary," Ferrell said.

A short time later, a second report directed deputies to another residence. They were given a description that matched the first physical description and a license number of the vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle northbound on Interstate 55, and were able to stop it at the Benton exit without incident.

Phi T. Hoang, 26, was charged with burglary and armed criminal action, Ferrell said. Hoang is currently on federal probation and has outstanding warrants from St. Louis.

Hoang is being held in the Scott County Jail on a $250,000 bond.