Los Angeles - A homeowner in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley stabbed a suspect in his mid-20s who broke into his home in the middle of the night this week, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed to Fox News Digital.
A homeowner in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley stabbed a suspect in his mid-20s who broke into his home in the middle of the night this week, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed to Fox News Digital.
After the suspect rammed his way through the front door just after 4 a.m. in the Winnetka neighborhood, he was confronted first by the homeowner’s daughter. Then he got into a fight with the homeowner, who stabbed the intruder in the stomach, police said.
Los Angeles Homeowner Stabs Suspect in Mid-of-the-Night Break-In
The suspect, who collapsed not far from the house, was found by police soon after leaving a trail of blood from the house.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, was arrested and taken to a hospital, where he is in stable condition, police told Fox News Digital.
Los Angeles Homeowner Stabs Suspect in Mid-of-the-Night Break-In
A neighbor told police the suspect also tried to break into her home, FOX 11 reported.
The home invasion was caught on video, and the homeowner's Ring video camera showed the suspect slamming his body against the door. Another surveillance camera captured him prowling outside.
Los Angeles Homeowner Stabs Suspect in Mid-of-the-Night Break-In
The suspect left a trail of blood as he fled.
"They struggled for the door. The guy eventually broke the door open," Joseph Santos, the homeowner's son, who lives nearby, told KABC-TV. "My dad acted in self-defense. The guy jumped in the room, and they all warded him off. My sisters took a vacuum cleaner and started hitting him over the head."
Los Angeles Homeowner Stabs Suspect in Mid-of-the-Night Break-In
Another neighbor, Tigran Sargsyan, agreed that "everybody has a right to defend himself."
"The suspect was on my property, I heard, at night," he told the station. "Someone was walking on my roof. My neighbor was aware. She called me at night. My phone was on silent. I didn't hear, but she was alone. She needed help. She called me. I went out, and she was very scared."
There have been other home invasions in the area this week, including in Sherman Oaks and Canoga Park, where the residents scared a suspect away. Three suspects were arrested in the Sherman Oaks robbery.
"We will continue our urgent work to make Los Angeles safer and combat crime throughout the city," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. "I have met with Angelenos who live in areas experiencing an uptick in burglaries and have been in close coordination with LAPD as we take steps to suppress crime in those areas. Those responsible for crimes must be held accountable, and I thank LAPD for their work."
The incident highlights the growing concern about crime in Los Angeles, where burglaries have increased by 4% over the last year. In the San Fernando Valley, burglaries have increased by 10%, according to the LAPD.
The police department has been working to address the increase in crime, and Chief Michel Moore has announced a new plan to focus on hot spots and increase patrols in areas where burglaries are prevalent.
The homeowner who stabbed the suspect in this week's home invasion said he feels like he had no choice but to defend himself and his family.
"I'm glad that I was able to protect my family," he said. "But I'm also sad that it had to come to this."
