Police: Madison Heights resident came home to burglary in progress

A Madison Heights resident came home Thursday to find a burglary in progress, police said.

Descriptions of the perpetrators led to the arrest of two men, according to an Amherst County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Tony O’Brien Gilbert, 24, of Hurt, and a 17-year-old, also from Hurt, were arrested Thursday night and charged with burglary and grand larceny, the release said.

Gilbert is held in the Amherst County Jail, and the teenager in the Lynchburg Juvenile Detention Center pending hearings.

The owner of the house came home around 5:45 p.m. and saw that the house had been entered. The owner remained outside and called 911. Moments later, a car left the driveway.

Deputies were able to locate the vehicle and stopped the car on South Amherst Highway near the Pizza Hut. Two men were taken into custody and the stolen property was found — a flat screen television, a PlayStation 2 gaming system and a DVD player, the release said.

“The community is reminded that when faced with a situation such as this, they should do as this person did and not enter the residence,” said Lt. Greg Turner of the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office in the release. “They should remain outside and call 911. Not only does this prevent a citizen from potentially confronting a burglar, but it also prevents any potential evidence from being damaged or destroyed.”