OMAHA, NE – A seasoned Air Force veteran successfully deterred an attempted burglary at his Omaha jewelry shop last Saturday, utilizing his military training and a handgun to send the intruder fleeing.
The incident, captured on the store’s surveillance cameras, shows an unidentified individual dressed in black, breaking into Sidrony Jewelers by smashing a glass window with a rock. The perpetrator, however, didn’t expect to encounter anyone inside, much less a military-trained veteran.
The store’s owner, Garrett Peddicord, was seen emerging from a back room with a pistol pointed at the intruder. Peddicord, a U.S. Air Force veteran, regularly carries a firearm, even after business hours. He likened it to carrying everyday essentials such as keys and a wallet.
Peddicord recalled the moment he locked eyes with the thief, who was awkwardly wielding a tool over the glass. Upon seeing Peddicord and his firearm, the would-be thief promptly raised his hands and fled the scene, running back through the shattered window.
According to the surveillance footage, the entire event unfolded in less than two minutes. Peddicord expressed pride in being able to protect his business and stated he would have been prepared to do so even without his weapon. He compared the use of his firearm to the other tools in his store, like drills and pliers, with the only difference being that he hoped never to use his gun.
Peddicord attributed his swift and composed response to his military training. He spent three years on deployment, including a year in Afghanistan, and credits his preparedness to the extensive training and practice he underwent on how to handle a firearm responsibly.
The Omaha Police Department has yet to identify or apprehend the suspect.