Victim describes home invasion

A man whose home was ransacked by several armed men Saturday night is speaking out about the ordeal.

The victim, 72, who will remain unnamed as part of the Coastline Pilot’s guidelines regarding crime victims, said he was awoken around 10 p.m. by four armed men who were going through dresser drawers in his Laguna Terrace Park home.

He asked, “What’s going on?” and the intruders ran out to the living room, where his roommate and friend were. He followed the suspects and was hit by a gun in the face, causing him to bleed.

The suspects attempted to tie up his friend and roommate, he said.

According to police, the two victims were asked to lay face down as the suspects ransacked bedrooms.

His roommate tried to fight back and was also hit with the gun, he said.

The suspects also tried to grab the roommate’s jewelry.

He then frantically ran away, out a back door and around the home. He said he stood for about 10 minutes in front of the trailer, screaming for help.

His three neighbors were not home at the time, he said. As far as he knows, the other mobile homes in the park were not burglarized.

His roommate hopped in a golf cart and attempted to chase after the suspects, who had fled on foot toward Albertsons on South Coast Highway.

He was later told by his roommate that the suspects entered through an unlocked door off the living room while the roommate and friend were watching television.

The suspects also apparently shouted for money from the men, he said.

He said the suspects ran off with some minor jewelry pieces.

They are still at large, and Laguna Beach police are investigating the incident.

The three men had gone out to dinner that night and came home around 8 p.m., the victim said. He didn’t note anything suspicious in the neighborhood or anyone while they were out.

When asked what the mood was like in the neighborhood, he answered “worried.” He said he keeps doors locked at all times. Although it shook up the occupants of the home, he said he feels lucky that he came out with only minor injuries.

“It was a blessing because he just hit me in the head,” he said. “He could have shot me.”

Anyone with information can contact police at (949) 497-0377.

Joanna.clay@latimes.com

Twitter: @joannaclay