MARLBORO COUNTY, South Carolina (PNN) - July 23, 2012 - When burglars invaded the home of Ruby Hodge, 89, they got a lot more than they bargained.
Hodge was in her bedroom just after 8:00 a.m. Monday morning, when she heard a knock at her back door. Before she could get to the door, the burglars had forced their way inside.
The great grandmother came face to face with two men dressed in black down her hallway.
"I reached and I got my pistol and I met them right outside of my bedroom. Right inside of my bedroom door two black men passed and they were two medium black men and they were dressed in black and when they saw me standing in there with my pistol, they left and ran."
Hodge pressed her lifeline button that hangs loosely around her neck. It alerted 911 and within five minutes several deputies with the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office were at Hodge's home.
"I've had it for about five years now and I never have really had to use it up until this time is when I used my lifeline and I feel like that saved my life," Hodge.
Hodge's daughter and niece got to the scene not long after the cops. They say they are relieved she's okay and commend her on how she handled the situation.
Hodge says this is the second time in a few months she's had a break-in at her home. She's a little nervous but not afraid to use her gun, if necessary. She has it close-by at all times.
"I sleep with my pistol," said Hodge.
Marlboro County deputies arrested Nelson Hawkins, 42, and Ronnie Stevenson, 31, later Monday afternoon. They are both charged with burglary in the first degree and damage to property.
They both have been booked at the Marlboro County Detention Center.
