Nobody ever said criminals were smart, but this home intruder is darned lucky to be alive after breaking into a police officer’s home and threatening her life.

On Wednesday, shortly after 3:30 p.m., a 43-year-old man gained entry into a female off-duty St. George police officer’s home in Hurricane, Utah. Officials said once the intruder, identified as Nathan Gardiner, entered the home, he ’caused a scene’, became very loud and threatened the officer’s life.

KUTV reports:

“As law states a person has a right to defend themselves if they feel they’re being threatened,” Sgt. Brandon Buell with Hurricane Police Department said. He stated that when the officer heard the noise she grabbed her sidearm and went to investigate the noise, that according to police, was coming from her kitchen.

Buell said the officer interacted with the suspect but he soon became threatening to her and she legally had the right to open fire on the man, but didn’t.

“The male then exited the house,” Buell said. That’s when the officer called police and other officers were able to talk Gardiner into custody.

“They were transporting him to the jail; He had a medical emergency that took place,” Buell said.

Officers called medical and had him checked out. That’s when he became violent with the officers

“[He] assaulted three officers, made threats towards the officers,” Buell said.

Neighbor Pete Karsch, who lives next door to the officer, witnessed the arrest Wednesday.

“I looked out the kitchen window and saw the red and blues in the window,” Karsch said. “I didn’t realize that we were buying into an area that was seriously difficult like that.”

Buell said after Gardiner’s arrest, police got a search warrant for his residence and found suspected controlled substances, methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia, as well as a gun and ammunition.

Gardiner has been charged with several charges, including:

• Burglary-Dwelling
• Possession of Firearm by a Restricted Person
• 3 Counts of Assault by a Prisoner
• 2 Counts of Failure to Stop at a Police Officers Command
• Drug Possession
• Possession of Paraphernalia
• Criminal Mischief
• Interfering with an Arrest
• 2 Counts of Threats of Violence
• DUI
• Intoxication
• Disorderly Conduct
• Warrant