A local woman has her grandson to thank as he interrupted a burglary and held one of two suspects at gunpoint until authorities could arrive. That one suspect is in custody while the second remains on the loose.

According to Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley, an elderly woman was approached at her home on the 2200 block of Alabama Hwy. 14 East by two unknown, white, male suspects.

“The suspects wanted to come into her home, telling her they were there to help her lower her power bill,” Riley said. “She refused.”

Riley said one of the suspects was able to get the victim outside to “help him measure the outside of her home.”

“While one suspect occupied the resident’s attention, the second suspect went inside the residence and stole the victim’s purse,” Riley said. The second suspect — the one who reportedly went inside the home — has been identified as Peter Anthony Sherlock from North Augusta, S.C.

Riley said as Sherlock was leaving the home, the victim’s grandson saw what was happening and “immediately obtained a shotgun and held the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived.”

The other suspect reportedly ran, got into a white pickup truck and fled the area. The description of the suspect is that he is white, wearing blue jeans and glasses and was wearing a sandy colored hat.

“We are current working to get an accurate identification on that suspect,” Riley said.

Sherlock has been charged with second-degree burglary and placed in the Dallas County Jail under no bond due to him being a potential flight risk, Riley said.

Riley urged anyone with information on the remaining suspect to contact Crimestoppers at (334) 877-3530 or the Selma Police Department at (334) 874-2125.