ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Authorities say a U.S. Army veteran who uses a wheelchair wielded a pistol to run off a man who broke into his home near Athens.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that 53-year-old Mark Sikes was in bed at his home in western Clarke County around 1 p.m. Wednesday, when someone kicked in his front door.

Sikes said he reached into his night stand and grabbed his pistol. He said he then pointed the gun at the intruder and and told him he "better get the hell out."

Sikes said the young man "flew like a bat" and is lucky that he wasn't killed by the veteran.

Athens-Clarke County police and Oconee County sheriff's deputies looked for the suspect throughout the day Wednesday. Authorities continued to search on Thursday.

Associated Press Release

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Police in Athens say a burglary suspect ran from a house he targeted when a wheelchair-bound U.S. Army veteran pulled a pistol on him.

The Athens Banner Herald reports 53-year-old Mark Sikes was in bed when a man kicked his front door in Wednesday afternoon.

Sikes told the newspaper he reached into his nightstand for his gun, pointed it at the intruder and told him to leave his property immediately. It is unclear if the attempted burglar was also carrying a weapon.

Police say they used evidence the suspect dropped on the scene to identify a person of interest in the incident. Authorities were searching for the man Thursday.