Police: home invasion suspect pepper sprayed, stabbed after residents fight back

A 41-year-old suspect is behind bars after Citrus Heights police said residents fought back using pepper spray and a knife during a home invasion robbery near Madera Park, Monday.

Lt. Jason Russo said in an email on Tuesday that the incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 13, when a suspect later identified as Glenn Suntup drove up to a residence on the 8000 block of Glen Alta Way, along with another individual. Suntup then “knocked on the door looking for a friend,” but a resident refused to allow him to enter.

Police said Suntup then demanded entrance by pounding on the door before forcing his way into the home through a window. The residents called police, who were dispatched to the location while the home’s two occupants “barricaded themselves in a bedroom in an attempt to keep Suntup away from them,” according to police.

Suntup then forced his way into the bedroom and “aggressively approached the occupants,” but was subsequently stabbed when the residents “defended themselves using pepper spray and a knife,” Russo said.

A resident who lives near the crime scene and preferred to be identified only by her first name, Donna, told The Sentinel that “at least 10 cops” as well as Metro Fire responded to the scene on Monday. She said “somebody came out on a gurney and ended up in the back of the ambulance with a very bloody face.”

Suntup was booked at Sacramento County Jail after being treated at a local hospital. According to online jail records, his felony charges include kidnapping, false imprisonment and burglary, along with two misdemeanor counts of civilian battery.

Russo said he could not comment on whether Suntup and the residents knew each other, but said the motive behind the incident is currently under investigation. He said a second individual was also questioned by police, but was released.

The lieutenant said no outstanding suspects are being sought and the incident is not believed to be a random act or tied to a series of robberies that occurred in the city last week.