12-year-old girl chases down man trying to break into home, Tennessee cops say

A 12-year-old girl showed “remarkable courage” when she chased down a man trying to break into her family’s home in Tennessee, according to authorities.

The accused would-be burglar tried to break into a home at around 6 p.m. July 17, but the homeowners spotted him, Crockett County Sheriff’s Office said in a July 21 news release.

The suspect took off running into a nearby soybean field, but the homeowners’ 12-year-old daughter gave chase, deputies said.

A motorist witnessed the pursuit and stopped to help the girl as they restrained the man, then a farmer saw the altercation and brought over zip ties, according to investigators.

They worked together to restrain the suspect until law enforcement arrived, at which point they learned he had an active arrest warrant for another incident, deputies said.

He’s now also charged with aggravated attempted burglary and criminal trespass, according to the sheriff’s office.

“This incident serves as a testament to the courage and resourcefulness of our community,” Sheriff Troy Klyce said in a statement. “It’s heartening to see citizens step up to protect their neighborhood. Our deputies commend the bravery of the young girl and appreciate the assistance rendered by witnesses.”

Crockett County is about an 80-mile drive northeast from Memphis.

This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM with the headline "12-year-old girl chases down man trying to break into home, Tennessee cops say."