Police: Shotgun-wielding man chases repo men

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A Volusia County man is behind bars because police say he opened fire on the men who came to repossess his truck.

The incident started on Whispering Pines Drive in New Smyrna Beach, a road lined with gates and no-trespassing signs. It's where two men from Florida Recovery Systems went to repossess Scott Higdon's Ford Explorer.

According to investigators, before the men could take the SUV Higdon came out through his front door with a shotgun and ran after them, firing a shot into the air.

"I would try reasoning with them first, but I'm not sure I would shoot them," said neighbor Joe Nicosaa, laughing about the incident.

Investigators said the two men sped off in their wrecker and Higdon chased them.

The men called the police and had them meet at a nearby intersection.

According to investigators, when Higdon arrived at the intersection police arrested him and confiscated his loaded shotgun.

Higdon told the officers he chased the two men because he wanted to find out who they were, police said.

Police said when they asked Higdon why he didn't just call 911 he responded, "Yeah, I guess I should have done that."

Nicosaa said he has sympathy for his neighbor because a lot of people are having tough times, financially. But he said his neighbor shouldn't have resorted to violence.

"Yeah, the shotgun is too much, yeah," said Nicosaa.

Higdon is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is in jail on a $2,500 bond.

WFTV