85-year-old fights back against home invasion suspect

In the South Valley, investigators share a bazaar story of a suspect armed with a shovel and a very brave 85 year-old woman who stood her ground. Neighbors praise 85 year-old Lemoore resident Jessie Cotta after a confrontation with James Pena. A man she says tried to force his way into her home.

Kings county deputies arrested James Pena he faces felony charges that include burglary, carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, and elder abuse.

"He had (the screen door) open and I said what in the heck do you want? He said I want your car keys," Cotta said.

Louis Jacinto lives with Jessie and he saw Pena using a non-traditional weapon.

"He was standing right there with the screen door open, a shovel over his shoulder and the blade pointed right at her face," said Jacinto.

Jessie tried to shut Pena out.

"He got on the other side (of the door) and I was pushing on this side," said Cotta. "I didn’t even think about getting scared I was just thinking about keeping him out of my house."

During the struggle Jessie says Pena used the shovel to try to get in scraping her door and slicing her finger. Finally, Pena left and investigators say he stole a truck from an 86 year-old man living nearby.

The vehicle was destroyed in a high speed chase and Pena was arrested, but not before Jessie Cotta arrived to identify him.

"I said good. You old dirty son of a b**ch they caught you," Cotta told Pena.

Senior residents in this rural community are warning crooks to stay away.

"You can’t bully us. No. Don’t try," said Cotta’s neighbor Joann Corder.

Jessie Cotta says she underestimated herself.

"For 85 years old I’m stronger than what I thought I was," said Cotta.

When officers arrested pena they say he had keys to another vehicle investigators believe he stole from the Home Depot in Hanford.

Pena was booked into the Kings County jail his bail is set at $ 385,000.