HARROGATE — A bowl of chili and a broom deterred two criminals from robbing a Claiborne County woman after they invaded her home on Tuesday. Claiborne County Sheriff David Ray said that the home invasion robbery resulted in additional charges against the suspects for the robbery of a convenience store that happened last week and the crimes committed are believed to be drug-related.

At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening, 58-year-old Wanda Bray phoned police and reported that two men ran into her home and demanded her medication. Bray — who lives in the Arthur community — said she began throwing “household objects” at the suspects, including a bowl of chili, before they fled the scene.

“The woman fought them off," said Capt. David Honeycutt in an interview with the Knoxville News Sentinel. "She threw a bowl of homemade chili and got after them with a broom."

Officer Hurley and Officer Isbell were dispatched to Bray’s home, as was Captain Honeycutt. Through Honeycutt’s investigation, officers were able to locate the suspects.

Sheriff Ray said that while Honeycutt was investigating the home invasion robbery, authorities discovered the vehicle used in another robbery last week of the Tiger Mart convenience store in Speedwell, Tenn. Evidence at the scene led to additional charges.

Charged with the home invasion were 32-year-old Fabian Moore of Arthur, Tenn., 24-year-old Tommy Wayne Garrett, of Cookville, Tenn. and 30-year-old Samuel Partin of Cumberland Gap, Tenn. The sheriff’s office reported that Partin was the getaway driver while Moore and Garrett were actually inside the residence.

Captain Honeycutt further charged Moore and Garrett with aggravated robbery for the robbery of Tiger Mart that occurred on May 6. During the Tiger Mart incident, a weapon was reportedly displayed and a unknown amount of cash was taken from the register.

Moore and Garrett are being held in the Claiborne County Jail on $250,000 secured bond. Partin is being held in the Claiborne County Jail on $100,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Ray thanks the citizens of Claiborne County who are getting more involved in assisting his department with getting criminals off the streets.

Anyone with knowledge of criminal activity is asked to call Captain Honeycutt or Sheriff Ray at (423)626-3385. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.

Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She can be contacted via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.