The San Diego Sheriff's Department is searching for a man who broke into a Vista home while a 9-year-old boy was inside.
The boy got help when he saw a man inside his home in a neighborhood off Shadowridge Drive and Lupine Hills Drive at about 10 a.m.
The boy's father, who did not want to be identified, told NBC 7 the nine-year-old was watching television downstairs when the man broke in. The father was working upstairs at the time.
The suspect smashed through the screen on an open sliding glass door to enter the house.
When the boy spotted the man, he ran into the garage and then outside to a neighbor's house.
The neighbors called 911 with the boy.
The father heard a noise and went downstairs to find the home ransacked, he said. He searched for his son and found him with his neighbor. The boy was frightened but safe, the father said.
Local
He also said he knew he would find his son at his neighbor's house because that is the designated safe house in their family emergency plan.
The man fled the scene, even jumping fences, and has not been located, SDSO said.
He was described to be in his 30s, wearing a Captain America T-shirt, tan shorts, and a bandage on one of his knees at the time of the incident.
A woman who works in the area said it’s normally a safe place to be.
SDSO said anyone who spots the suspect should not approach him and should call 911.
SDSO called the invasion a home burglary but the father told NBC 7 it did not appear any items were taken from the home.
No other information was available.
Please refresh this page for updates on this developing story. Details may change as information is released.
