Utter gall.

Imagine pulling into the driveway of a random house during the day on a weekend, nonchalantly taking whatever items strike your fancy, and then trying to convince an outraged homeowner who has caught you that it's all just a misunderstanding. It may sound unbelievable, but two thieves, Kevin Conner, 47, and his girlfriend, Mary Hick, 42, did exactly this on March 19.

The unidentified homeowner first noticed the thieving couple while he was in his neighbor's house. From his vantage point, he watched Conner put his weed-eater in the back of Conner's truck. The homeowner quickly drove home and pulled in behind Conner's truck, somewhat blocking Conner in. As the homeowner came to a stop, he saw Conner put some of his tools and fishing equipment in the back of the truck.

The homeowner confronted Conner, and Conner told him that he was sent by someone to pick up these items. But the homeowner wasn't buying Conner's story. As other of the homeowner's family members arrived on the scene, the homeowner went into the house to call the police.

Meanwhile, the family members overheard Conner and Hick talk about having a weapon, and so the homeowner grabbed a shotgun to safely hold the two for police. However, the thieves re/used to be detained; Conner tried to maneuver his truck out of the driveway. The homeowner, who was determined not to let them escape, fired two shots at the vehicle, destroying a brake light and deflating a tire.

Conner and Hick were arrested for burglary and theft.