Resident Holds Youth for Police in Break-In Attempt

A man held a youth at gunpoint for police Wednesday after seeing him trying to break into a neighbor’s house, Los Angeles police said.

The 46-year-old resident, who was not identified, videotaped three male youths after seeing the trio testing the door lock on the nearby house, Det. Theodore J. Knott said. Police said the would-be burglars noticed him and fled, jumping a backyard fence. The resident then called police.

After a responding officer said he was going to wait for backup support, the resident followed one of the youths on his own to the 6600 block of Atoll Avenue.

“When the man pointed the gun at him, he was quite cooperative,” Knott said. “Of course, we don’t encourage people to do that.”

The arrested youth had bags filled with $1,500 in electronic equipment, Knott said. Police were unable to catch the other youths, but investigators have identified them, authorities said. Police believe the group may have committed more than a dozen burglaries in the area recently, Knott said.