Watsonville Mother And Children Wrestle Armed Burglar: Cops

WATSONVILLE, CA — A Watsonville mother fought an armed man who broke into her home Wednesday, Watsonville police report.

A mother and her teen children arrived at their Holly Drive home when they noticed the window had been tampered with, according to a police account. When they tried to go inside, they encountered a man who pushed the door shut from inside the home.

The mother struggled with the man, who pulled a knife and threatened to stab her. She was able to yank the knife out of his hand and pin him down with the help of her children and a good samaritan. The mother and her children were able to hold the man down until officers arrived and arrested him. The mother received medical aid at the scene for a large cut on her hand.

The suspect was identified as 48-year-old Salvador Leonor, whom police say is on parole for burglary. Leonor was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and parole violation.