Poplar Bluff woman uses railroad spike to fight intruder

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A woman used a railroad spike to fight off an intruder early Friday morning after the man allegedly forced his way into her Poplar Bluff home, according to the Daily American Republic.

Glen R. Waltman, 45, and Claude Everett Hunt, 46, were booked at Butler County Jail in connection with the incident. Waltman faces one count each of first-degree burglary and first-degree strong-arm robbery. Hunt is charged with resisting arrest and obstructing police.

Police were called to an apartment building in the 500 block of Bartlett Street around 1 a.m., according to reports.

Stephanie Nicole Ballard, 24, and roommate Stephanie L. Molina, 39, told officers shortly after they arrived home a man began shouting outside their door, saying, "Jerry, you owe me money." The women said they did not know a Jerry.

Ballard told officers the man, later identified as Waltman, kicked open the apartment door, and continued to demand "Jerry" pay him.

"He grabbed [Molina] and slapped and hit her," Ballard said in a statement.

Molina reported she picked up a railroad spike and struck the man, who then left the apartment.

When officers arrived they followed a trail of blood from the residence to another apartment in the building. After knocking several times and receiving no response, they kicked in the door.

Hunt and Waltman were found in the living room.

A struggle ensued and officers say they fired a short burst of mace in an attempt to subdue Hunt. A Taser was used when Hunt continued to resist, the officers reported. Hunt was placed in handcuffs, but as he was being led to a police car he allegedly began to run away. He was recaptured within a few feet and placed in the patrol car.

Waltman was also handcuffed and taken into custody.