Judge Is Not Fooled When Burglar Answers His Call

Alameda Superior Court Judge Richard Hodge said he was dozing half-dressed when he heard a floorboard creak outside his bedroom door early Saturday.

Calling his 16-year-old son, he said: “Aaron?” A voice said: ‘Yeah, man.’ ”

Realizing it was an intruder, the judge jumped out of bed and called to his son to get a shotgun. Running downstairs, Hodge met up with the stranger in the kitchen.

“Doing my best imitation of a tough cop, I said: ‘All right, you’re nailed,’ ” the judge said. “Turn around and put your hands up.”

When the man obeyed, the judge grabbed one of his hands, turned him around and made him lean spread-eagled against the refrigerator. The son pointed his weapon at the burglar as Hodge dialed 911, but the man soon bolted.

Police closed off nearby streets and, a few minutes later, arrested Lenard Andrus, 28. Andrus, who was not armed, was booked on suspicion of residential burglary.