Man stops intruder tied to string of home invasions

METHUEN, Mass. (WHDH) -- Police usually say isn't a good idea to try and wrestle an intruder, but in this case, one man's actions may have helped solve a number of crimes.

Jason Thomas now sports a black eye from defending his father-in-law's property from a would-be burglar he caught at his house.

“It was a wrestling match. It was a brawl,” said Thomas.

Methuen police said the suspect was inside the father-in-law’s house when Thomas stopped by. Thomas said he tried to call 9-1-1 but then things got ugly.

“Once he came at me, knocked the phone out of my hand and tried to knock me down. Instinct, I guess just took over,” said Thomas.

The homeowner, who was away at the time said the two men fought all the way to the back door before spilling out onto the lawn.

By the time they wound up outside the suspect was pinned to the ground. The homeowner's son in law held him down until police came.

“He explained to us that what he would do was wander around the neighborhood and check door knobs. If the door was unlocked then he'd enter,” said Det. Lt. Jim Jajuga of the Methuen Police Department.

Methuen detectives arrested the suspect who may be connected to at least four other home invasions.

“I know there had been so many break-ins in the neighborhood I didn't wanna let him go ‘cause I had being hearing all the stories and everything,” said Thomas.