Homeowner subdues alleged burglar after front-yard fight

A man was arrested after police say he tried to break into an occupied house in North Spokane Tuesday afternoon.

The homeowner told police he was in his home in the 2600 block of North Atlantic Street when his dog began barking outside. He looked out to see another man at his back door, later identified as Todd J. Wixon, 58, who was allegedly using a pry bar and hammer to try to break in.

The homeowner chased Wixon into the front yard and the two began scuffling, with Wixon swinging the pry bar at the homeowner’s head, according to a news release. The homeowner subdued Wixon and was on top of him when police arrived, the release said.

Wixon was booked into jail on charges of burglary, assault and possession of burglary tools, the release said.

The release encouraged people facing a similar situation to call 911 rather than taking matters into their own hands.