Resident Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of Suspected Burglar

A resident here was arrested on suspicion of homicide early Sunday after the stabbing of a man who he said was attempting to burglarize his garage.

The stabbing victim, identified as Frank Bruno Rodriguez, 39, fled the scene and later called 911 from his home in the 500 block of Ramona Street, police said. Rodriguez was taken to UCI Medical Center but died shortly afterward.

Mark S. Kirby, 33, who lives in the 600 block of West Center Street, told police that about 12:30 a.m. Sunday he heard a noise in his garage and rushed outside to see a man lowering the garage door. Kirby, who was carrying a 6-inch knife, stabbed the fleeing man once in the back, said Sgt. Kim Redifer.

Kirby was taken into custody on suspicion of homicide and held at the Orange County Jail, Redifer said.