Victims tackle man trying to rob them with knife

A man who attempted to rob a home with a knife on Tuesday night got a dose of citizen’s justice after residents tackled him and hit him over the head with a metal pot.

The attempted robbery happened just before 7 p.m. in the 10000 block of Palm Drive, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

When authorities arrived, Jose Aguilera was being held down by the victims and officers were able to make the arrest. Aguilera was injured during the struggle and and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center.

The victims said they were in bed when Aguilera came inside the bedroom with a knife through a sliding glass door. They said Aguilera told them not to move and then jumped on the bed. That’s when the victims tackled the suspect and began fighting for the knife.

Officers said a third victim, who was in the kitchen, heard the commotion and went to the bedroom. He struck Aguilera over the head with a metal pot and the three victims were able to control the suspect until officers arrived.

The victims were injured during the altercation and were treated at the scene.

KESQ and CBS Local 2 will deliver more information on the charges Aguilera is facing when it becomes available.