"I have a gun!".

A would-be thief found more than he expected in a closet in Wellsville, Kansas.

After breaking in to the dwelling, the burglar began searching for items to steal, unaware that the resident was at home at the time.

The Miami County Republic reported that the homeowner heard movement inside his house early on January 8 and, since he lives alone, decided to take refuge in a closet--but not before retrieving his firearm.

When he heard the burglar enter the room and open the closet door, he declared, "I have a gun!" The intruder fled the house.

According to the Miami County Sheriff's Department news release, the suspect wore a ski mask, so the homeowner was only able to identify the suspect generally by clothing, and by the vehicle used by the suspect when he fled.

Another resident in the area reported a suspicious character of similar build and clothing, driving a similar vehicle, who knocked on her door and asked if an unknown person lived there. When she told him "no," the man left abruptly.

Police suspect the man was making a second attempt using a familiar tactic in home burglary: knocking to determine if anyone is home, and asking for a fictitious person if someone answers the door. Police are seeking the suspect based on the combined information and descriptions.