NORTH PORT, Fla. -- A Florida burglar's plan to break into a Sarasota County home instead ended with the crook sustaining head injuries at the hand of his own weapon.
33-year-old Noah Dassat of Santa Cruz has been arrested and charged with four felony charges and one misdemeanor for armed burglary, battery, and criminal mischief.
According to North Port Police, Dassat broke into a home on Kennett Street last Thursday armed with a baseball bat. Once inside the home, inside which was a married couple and three children, Dassat attacked the male resident.
However, the resident was able to place Dassat in a bear hug, and his wife was able to grab the bat and attack Dassat with it.
Dassat managed to flee the house but was later apprehended by Charlotte County deputies after using a fake name at a Port Charlotte hospital.
"I mean, how would I react in something like that? And what she did and what Jason did was awesome. I mean, they protect themselves and the family, so kudos to them!" Sherri Mitchell, who lives across the street from the family, said.
"That's how we roll around here!" Jim Joyce, another neighbor, said.
Police said the night before Dassat broke into the family's home, he showed up there asking if a man named "Josh" lived there, possibly planning his attack strategy.
"It could happen to anyone. We should all be prepared, and think about this, because we always think it's going to happen to someone else, not us, but it could." Mitchell said.
"We would never recommend violence, but you certainly have the right to protect yourself, so do what you have to do, I guess," Joshua Taylor of North Port Police said.
Dassat is currently in the Charlotte County Jail with no bond.
