BROWNSTOWN, Ill. — Sandra Stine has faced life's unpredictable hand before.
The retired teacher's home has been on the 1600 block of North 1550th Street in Brownstown, Illinois, for decades.
She said her parents built a bigger home on the property in 1977. She first lived there when she started teaching, moved to Vandalia for 25 years, and then moved back.
"In 2020 in the midst of the pandemic, my mom was slowing down a little bit so I moved back to the house," Stine shared.
It's an area near and dear to her heart.
"I fit 35 years in Brownstown Community Unit School District 201. I am one of the lucky ones, I got to teach kids kindergarten through 12th grade, that's my certification. By the time I retired, I was getting the first of the grandchildren of my students!" she added.
While retired, she's still subbing at the district.
That's why many of her former students and her community are rallying for her right now.
Saturday evening, Stine recalled leaving her sister's home and getting home shortly before seven.
The lights didn't work and as soon as she was going to call her neighbor about the possible power outage, she remembers getting hit.
"I had a blow to my arm. I felt it knock my phone out and I go, 'oh, I have an intruder.' I had a force to my right side and there was pressure in my back and I was surrounded by a powdery white substance, and I start flailing my arms and my eyes were burning a bit," she said.
When she turned around, she couldn't tell who it was but could tell a figure was standing there just a few feet away.
"He’s my height, big guy, wearing black. I just ran out of this front door and I stood there by the driveway," Stine said.
That's when she called her neighbor for help and then police.
She kept eyes on his whereabouts to keep police updated. Soon, Stine saw the suspect leave, enter the truck shed and then drive through the field.
Illinois State Police said a police pursuit ensued.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department located the vehicle and initiated the pursuit. The Farina Police Department assisted and one of their officers completed a precision immobilization technique, causing the vehicle to come to a stop.
Police said as officers approached the car, a Farina police officer discharged his gun and shot the man. He was taken to an area hospital with gunshot wounds.
He was later released from the hospital and booked at the Fayette County Jail.
That part of the case is still under police investigation.
Back at the house, Stine's neighbor quickly told her that the house was on fire.
"There were bedspreads, towels, and flammable items, I feel he had items around the AC unit because he was going to burn down my house so he can hide any tracks," she explained. "I just disturbed whatever he was wrapping up."
The Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney is now charging 36-year-old Tyler Roe on several counts, including home invasion, aggravated arson, burglary and theft.
"He concentrated on where my valuables will be. In my room, every shelf, every drawer was overturned," Stine shared.
She told 5 On Your Side money, jewerly and coins were taken.
Unfortunately, one of their cats didn't make it either.
"Tyler's action killed my mom's cat. Tess died due to smoke annihilation and that hurt so bad," a teary-eyed Stine said.
After his arrest, Stine reunited with her family's belongings. She said an officer returned four bags worth of items.
Her mom passed away in September 2022 and Stine is grateful for those items returned.
"My mom's rings and dad's rings were there and that makes me very happy," Stine said with a smile.
An unforeseen twist in this case is that Tyler Roe is her former student.
"I think Tyler saw me as easy pickings, I don't think it was a personal vendetta," she said. "I think he felt I had stuff and he needed something."
Yet for her, the overwhelming love coming her way is the most unexpected move of all.
"I know people in my community are so awesome and I'm feeling so loved, so humbled. I am blessed. I am blessed with good people in my life. It’s unreal how people are sharing their love for me," she added.
Stine told 5 On Your Side multiple people have offered clothing, rent and even a place to stay.
There is an account set up at the First National Bank in Brownstown for Stine created by her close friends. (P.O Box 310, 108 E Main, Brownstown IL)
The account is under Sandra Stine Love Thy Neighbor.
A retail store in Vandalia named Turning Leaf & Co. is also raising funds.
From Jan. 3 to Jan. 31, the store will be donating back to Stine. For every Milkhouse candle sold, they are taking a good portion of that candle to give back to her.
The owner said, "I only got to have her in one class but if you met her, you loved her. She was always so positive and could brighten any room as soon as she walked in!"
While her home inside is destroyed, Stine is holding on to hope.
She was told the home needed to be gutted and a conservative estimate would be to have the home back up and running in eight months.