COFFEYVILLE — A 37-year-old Independence man was arrested after breaking into a rural Coffeyville home on Tuesday morning while the homeowners were in the house.

Sheriff Robert Dierks said John Henry Jones was arrested after breaking into a home near the intersections of county roads 2400 and 4500 northwest of Coffeyville. Dierks said Jones was armed with knife when he broke into the home.

A 911 dispatcher was alerted to the break-in by a female caller who was hiding in a closet in that home. The woman’s husband, hearing glass breaking at the back door, retrieved a shotgun and went to investigate. That’s when Jones was discovered with knife in hand, Dierks said. The homeowner ordered Jones to get down on the floor, which Jones refused to do. After a brief confrontation, the homeowner was able to detain Jones until the first officers arrived and took him into custody.

Dierks described the break-in as an “extremely volatile” situation and that the homeowner showed “tremendous resolve and courage” in protecting his home until help arrived.

“The investigation showed that Jones had broken into several of the homeowners’ outbuildings before breaking into the house, and it was not known exactly what Jones’ intentions were given the fact that he had the knife out at the time the homeowner confronted him,” said Dierks.

Dierks said he is recommending Jones be charged with:

• aggravated burglary,

• aggravated assault,

• criminal threat, and

• theft.

Jones was transported to the Montgomery County Jail where he was booked and remained in custody on Wednesday.

Dierks advises residents to be vigilant in watching out for their safety and to keep an eye out, especially during daylight hours, for suspicious persons and activity around their homes and that of neighbors.

Anyone with information, tips or concerns should call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department at 1-800-498-1019 or visit the department’s website at www.mgso.us.