PUEBLO, Colo. — A man accused of breaking into a Pueblo home in an attempt to steal a car has been arrested after a homeowner sprang into action until police were able to arrive on scene.
At about 4 a.m. on Thursday, officers with the Pueblo Police Department were called to the 800 block of West 14th Street regarding a burglary in progress.
Arriving officers found a homeowner who was holding the burglary suspect, Randy Mata, 34, at gunpoint in the backyard of his home.
Upon further investigation, police learned that Mata had entered the home while the residents were sleeping. He found a pair of keys inside, entered a detached garage and then started loading items into the homeowner’s car, police said.
When Mata attempted to steal the vehicle, police said he realized he had the wrong keys. He then went back inside the home, woke the residents and demanded the car keys, police said.
One of the residents then armed himself with a firearm, chased Mata into the backyard, and held him there at gunpoint until police arrived.
Mata has since been booked into the Pueblo County Detention Center for several charges including first-degree burglary.
