EVIL IS DEFEATED By HOMEOWNER

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100821/NEWS01/8210340/1124/Intruder-shot-by-80-year-old-man-during-apparent-break-in

An 80-year-old Pulteney homeowner foiled an apparent break-in Friday
when he shot an intruder in his home.

"As it appears, he was justified in the actions that he took,"
Investigator Jeffrey Albright of the state police in Bath said of the
homeowner, identified as Stephen Boyechko.

Police learned of the shooting at 8016 Brown Road after Boyechko
called police at around 7:42 p.m.

Stephen Boyechko had been napping with his wife, Pauline, when he was
awakened by the sound of someone breaking into his home through a
bathroom window, police said.

Stephen Boyechko picked up his handgun, which Albright said he
legally owns, and confronted the intruder.

The suspect, who has not been identified by authorities, moved toward
Boyechko and was shot twice, once each in the abdomen and the groin,
Albright said.

When they arrived, police found the intruder wounded in a hallway by
the bathroom, Albright said. He was alert and conscious.

The suspect, described as a man in his 40s, was flown to Strong
Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he was listed in guarded
condition Saturday afternoon.

The suspect has not been charged, Albright said.

"We're waiting for his medical circumstances to make him available
for us to address that," he said. "That may take a few days."

The Boyechkos were not injured, but were taken to Ira Davenport
Hospital in Bath as a precaution, Albright said.

Albright said police are looking into whether the break-in could be
related to a recent string of daytime residential burglaries in the Bath area.

Steuben County Sheriff Joel Ordway on Wednesday asked neighbors to
watch each other's homes and report unfamiliar vehicles or people to
the sheriff's office by calling (800) 724-7777.

The Boyechkos could not be reached for comment Saturday.