Deltona mother confronts home intruder

A Deltona mother frantically called 911 last week when she discovered an intruder inside her home.

Deputies said when she confronted him, the man grabbed her and would not let go until he was eventually scared off.

The victim, Mary Ellen, told WFTV she is still healing from a few cuts and bruises she suffered during the altercation with the intruder.

“I tried to get away from him and he pulled me back and that is how I got scratches on my chest. I turned around and I was fighting him, scratching him,” said Ellen.

Less than an hour before the incident, Ellen left her home on Langan Avenue to go see a doctor because of a toothache. She said she realized she did not have her driver’s license and returned home.

Ellen told deputies her two daughters and a friend waited for her in the car as she ran into the home to get it.

“I did not care about the stuff or what he would do to me, I just definitely did not want him to go out the front door,” said Ellen.

Ellen said the intruder ran out the back door when her friend honked the car horn.

Investigators said the intruder stole an AK 47 rifle and a lot of ammunition that belonged to Ellen's ex-husband. Deputies said the intruder was not located during a search.

Officials said investigators were able to collect some evidence from the home, which they hope will lead them to the suspect.