Burglar Escapes Home in Stolen Vehicle, Runs Over Victim's Van

A man came home to find a burglary in progress and was injured as the escaping suspect rammed a stolen vehicle through the homeowner's front gate and into the minivan behind it, police said.

The burglar's violent getaway from the El Monte, Calif., home can be seen in a surveillance video obtained by NBC4.

The break-in took place on Tuesday, March 31, at about 11 a.m., police said. The suspect allegedly broke into the residence and loaded up the homeowner's daughter's vehicle with stolen property before he was spotted by the victim returning home, according to police.

Video from a security camera shows the homeowner retreating down the driveway and attempting to close the gate in an apparent effort to trap the burglar inside.

The suspect drove the stolen vehicle through the gate and into the homeowner's minivan that was blocking his escape route. The victim was injured by a piece of dislodged gate, police said.

The suspect, identified at Adan Vega, was captured by officers from the El Monte Police Department shortly after he crashed the stolen vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, according to a police statement.

Police recovered personal electronics, over $6,000 in cash and other property stolen from the home, in the 4000 block of Shirley Avenue in El Monte, the statement said.

A member of the family, who asked not to be named, said the family was grateful for the police's help in catching the burglar.

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