Suspect sought in home invasion

A teenager scared away a man who threatened to cut his mother during a burglary Tuesday night on Rucker Christiana Road, a sheriff’s deputy reported.

The unknown man forced himself inside the home and demanded the keys to her car, Deputy Carol Stafford reported. When she refused, he grabbed her purse.

“She fought with him over the purse and eventually retreated into the kitchen where he grabbed a knife out of the sink” and threatened to cut her, Stafford reported.

When her son came out of the bedroom, the man fled.

Sgt. A.J. Ross reported sheriff’s deputies, K-9s and detectives responded to the home where deputies searched the area for the suspect. K-9s tracked the neighborhood.

Detective Ty Downing flew a drone in an effort to locate the suspect.

“A thorough search of the area was conducted but no contact was made with the suspect,” Ross reported. “Deputy Watson went door-to-door and contacted homeowners to check their vehicles.”

Downing said the suspect apparently left a stolen Subaru in the mother’s driveway and wanted to steal another vehicle.

“He’s looking to steal cars that are unlocked with the keys inside,” Downing said. “Make sure your vehicles are locked and no firearms are left inside.”

The suspect was described as a white man in his 20s to 30s.

People who have information about him are asked to call Downing at 615-904-3022.