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John Franklin Gethicker, 24, formerly of Burton, remained in jail at press time Tuesday. He is facing charges of home invasion first degree and habitual offender second offense.

The victim, whose name is not being released, woke from her sleep and discovered a man she didn't know trying to break inside her home about 3 a.m. Dec. 30.

"My two dogs woke me up," she said. "I looked out my window, and he was on my front porch, busting into the front door."

Only a thin chain and a table protected her from the man who was screaming at her to let him in.

"I had a Christmas party the night before, and I cleared everything and happened to put the coffee table in front of the door," she said. "It was so scary. He was running his shoulder into the door and he wouldn't stop. I kept trying to shut it and he wouldn't stop."

During the ordeal, the victim was most frightened for her school age children who were sleeping in their bedrooms.

"All I could think about was them," she said. "I didn't know what would happen if he made it inside. I told him I was going to call 9-1-1, and he said, 'go ahead and call them.'"

The 9-1-1 dispatcher remained on the line with the victim until police arrived at her home in minutes.

"It was an awesome response," she said. "They were there in minutes. Sgt. Bill Stokes and police officer Trevor Johnson were there from Lapeer, and deputy Nick VanDenBerg and deputy Matt Snay came for the Sheriff's Department."

Gethicker was arrested. He was in jail at press time Tuesday, unable to post the $100,000 10% bond requested by Lapeer County Prosecutor's Director of Victim Services Cathy Strong.

"It appears he is homeless and the fear is that he will break into another home," Strong said. "He has prior felonies and is a danger to the community."

The victim's door has been replaced, but feelings of safety haven't been restored.

"He almost made it in," she said. "It was really scary."

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com