A homeowner in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley stabbed a suspect in his mid-20s who broke into his home late this week, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed to Fox News Digital.
Police say the suspect first confronted the homeowner's daughter after breaking into a Winnetka-area front door just after 4 a.m. He then got into a struggle with the homeowner, who stabbed the intruder in the abdomen.
The suspect was found collapsed not far from the house and was soon found by police, leaving a blood trail from the house.
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A homeowner in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley stabbed a suspect in his mid-20s who broke into his home late this week, Los Angeles Police confirmed to Fox News Digital. (KTTV)
Police told Fox News Digital that the suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, was arrested and taken to a hospital in stable condition.
A neighbor told police the suspect also tried to break into her home. Fox 11 Reported.
The break-in was captured on video: the homeowner's Ring video camera showed the suspect slamming his body against the door, while another security camera showed him pacing outside.
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The suspect left a blood trail as he fled. (KTTV)
“They were fighting over the door and he ended up breaking it open,” Joseph Santos, the homeowner's son who lives nearby, told KABC-TV. “My father acted in self-defense. He came running into the room and we chased him away. My sisters got out a vacuum cleaner and started hitting him over the head.”
Another neighbour, Tigran Sarkisian, agreed: “Everyone has the right to defend themselves.”
The suspects broke into a home in the Winnetka neighborhood of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. (KTTV)
“I heard the suspect was on my property at night,” he told the station. “Someone was walking on the roof. My neighbor noticed and called me in the middle of the night. My phone was on silent. I didn't hear her, but she was alone. She needed help. She called me. I went outside and she was very scared.”
Other home invasions in the area this week, including in Sherman Oaks and Canoga Park, have led to residents chasing suspects away. Three suspects were arrested in the Sherman Oaks robbery.
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“We continue our urgent work to make Los Angeles safer and fight crime across our city,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “I have met with Angelenos who live in areas where property crimes are on the rise and have worked closely with the LAPD as they implement steps to curb crime in those areas. Those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable, and I thank the LAPD for their efforts.”
