Heather Navarro

Homeowner Holds 5 Home Invasion Suspects at Gunpoint Until Police Arrive

A brave homeowner held five burglary suspects at gunpoint until help could arrive, the Chino Hills Police Department said Tuesday.

On Monday afternoon, a family heard someone out on their family balcony in the 13000 block of Gemstone Court.

The Zhang family realized there was a group of strangers breaking into the home through the balcony from the backyard.

Yan Zhang got his handgun and confronted the teens, police said. He held them at gunpoint until police arrived as his wife kept the children safe.

The suspects were later identified as Garret Rogers, 19, Ruben Medivil, 19, Roberto Alonso Salmon, 18, Joaquin Leonardo Salmon Garcia, 20, and an unidentified 17-year-old boy from Chino Hills.

Two tried to run, but were taken into custody by police. All five were arrested, but the minor was released to his parents.

Neighbors have said there's been a recent spike in crime in the area. They were astonished and grateful Zhang stood up for himself, his family and his neighborhood.

"That took a lot of guts," Ken Maki said.

NBC4's Adrian Arambulo contributed to this report.

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