Homeowner confronts would-be robber trying to take rifle, TV from Deltona home

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County sheriff's deputies are looking for a man who broke into a home in Deltona, got into a fight with a man who lives there, and is now on the run.

A lieutenant on the scene told Channel 9’s Ty Russell that a man broke into an unlocked car and open garage at a home on Crawford Court in Deltona.

Around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, the man got into the home through the garage, took a rifle and PlayStation from the home and put those items in the owner’s car, deputies said.

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The couple who lives there was home at the time.

"We woke up to somebody in our house," one of the residents said in a 911 call. "I'm just really scared right now."

The suspect went back into the home and tried to take a 55-inch television that was mounted on the wall, investigators said. The man who lives there heard the suspect, who tackled the resident when he confronted him.

The suspect ran off empty-handed.

The 26-year-old man and his 24-year-old girlfriend were uninjured.

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Deputies are looking for the suspect. Neighbors have reported seeing a man in dark clothing running and jumping fences, deputies said.

Investigators believe this was a crime of opportunity because the homeowners said they forgot to lock their doors.

Resident Doris Lewis lives nearby.

"It's scary to think someone is coming in and invading any of my neighbors," she said. "I do see blue lights flashing on occasion -- too often."

Deputies said there have been 21 robberies in Deltona so far this year compared to 12 this time last year. Most of the robbers were unarmed.

This year, there have been 30 reports of home break-ins compared to 83 at this time last year.

"I think we do need more patrolling around the area, and I do think some good lighting out here will help," Lewis said.

Location of the home invasion investigation:

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