A burglar received a surprise when a Chicago homeowner caught him in the act and then held him at swordpoint until police arrived.
Prosecutors said the victim left home in the 5900 block of South Honore to run some errands on Monday. When he opened the garage door upon returning, a stranger was inside.
The victim “grabbed a sword and restrained the defendant” until police arrived, Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Sloan said during a bail hearing for the accused man, Eric Smith, on Tuesday.
Chicago police officers placed Smith, 55, into custody after allegedly finding the victim’s power tools in a basket on his bicycle.
Sloan said Smith was convicted of burglary in 2020 and 2014. He also has six earlier convictions for narcotics-related felonies.
Judge Maryam Ahmad ordered Smith to pay a $1,000 deposit toward bail to go home.
Smith was hospitalized after being arrested for an unrelated health condition, officials said. His mugshot is not available.
