Costa Mesa resident tackles suspected burglar

A Costa Mesa man chased down and tackled a man who had attempted to rob his home early Sunday morning, police said.

With the help of neighbors, he pinned the suspect to the ground until officers arrived.

The suspect, Gerardo Garcilazo, 24, was booked on suspicion of residential burglary, possession of stolen property and threatening someone in the commission of a robbery, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Mark Manley said. Garcilazo was treated at a hospital for a broken nose, abrasions and minor facial cuts.

A man, believed to be Garcilazo, broke into the home in the 2000 block of Republic Avenue around 3:45 a.m., Manley said. The burglar threatened a couple in the home before bolting out the door with a backpack full of possessions.

As the woman called police, her husband charged after the man. With the help of neighbors, he managed to pin Garcilazo to the ground until officers arrived.

At the time of his arrest, Garcilazo possessed stolen property of other burglary victims, Manley said. Costa Mesa police detectives are asking residents who may have recently been the victims of burglary to call (714) 754-5198 so unclaimed items can be returned to their rightful owners.

This story was reported by Times Staff Writer Danielle Paquette.