Drunk Prowler Enters Peninsula Home, Detained By Resident: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — San Mateo police arrested a transient man this week who allegedly entered a home illegally while intoxicated, officials say. At 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to the 200 block of North Fremont Street on a report from a resident who detained the man.

According to police, the resident was inside his home when he heard someone strange talking inside his house.

"The resident was inside his home when he heard the unknown man speaking with his elderly mother in another room," police said in a news release. "The resident contacted the man and detained him until SMPD arrival."

Officers responded quickly and arrested the man, identified as 55-year-old transient Joe Ellis, on suspicion of prowling. According to police, Ellis has an extensive history of alcohol-related arrests and showed some signs of alcohol intoxication when he was arrested. Ellis was booked into the San Mateo County Jail.

The resident of the home suffered a minor injury while detaining Ellis, police said. Nothing was stolen from his home.

"We are thankful that no one was seriously injured and we want to remind our community that there are safety risks when encountering criminals that are in or around your home," police said. "We ask that you keep those risks in mind and being a good witness instead of engaging will minimize that danger."

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report/ Patch file photo