Scared Father Defends Home, Helps With Arrest

A Fresno home is under siege while a family sleeps inside early Wednesday morning, but a father’s courage leads to an arrest.

Police arrested 42 year-old Jose Hernandez after they say he tried to burglarize a home in Southeast Fresno. Police say he tried to enter a home in Fresno in the 3400 block of East Ventura. Before being booked into the Fresno County jail Hernandez told police he was trying to steal something to support his drug habit, but he came face to face with a homeowner who was ready for a fight.

"He pried open this window. He took off the screen inside. It’s still in there. And the TV stand was in the way so he couldn’t really get through," Fernando Pacheco told reporters at his family’s home.

Pacheco says a man entered his 20 year-old sister’s room at around six Wednesday morning. With the dog barking, Fernando watched his dad rush into the room to protect her.

"I saw my dad fighting off a burglar that was coming out of my sister’s window," said Pacheco.

Using a broomstick he beat the suspect back out into the yard, then the homeowner became a target for threats.

"He took a couple steps and then turned back and said stay away, or I’m going to kill you. Stay away, or I’m going to kill you," said Pacheco.

Alone, the homeowner ran barefoot chasing the suspect past his gate, through his yard, and into the neighborhood.

"I came out and by that time my dad was already across the street trying to follow the guy," said Pacheco.

With the homeowner’s help police arrested 42 year-old Jose Hernandez nearby. Neighbors are impressed.

"I’m very proud of him. I’m really proud. I congratulated him and I said too bad I wasn’t out there," said one of the women living in the neighborhood.

Fearing retaliation– the father declined an on camera interview. His family remains shaken.

"Trying to keep an ear out. Going to sleep thinking when is the next time they’re going to break in. Am I going to be able to stop it, or you know what’s going to happen? Just go to sleep scared," said Pacheco.

But support is close by.

"You keep an eye over here on my place and I’ll keep an eye on your place and help each other as neighbors," said a neighbor living near the Pacheco family.

The Pacheco family says they believe the suspect thought the home was empty when he tried to break in. They’re thankful police made an arrest in this case.