Reno Police arrested a suspect after a break-in in west Reno early Monday morning.
It happened around 1:45 at a home on Marsh Avenue near La Rue Avenue.
Police say the victim woke up to find a man with his face partially covered and armed with a machete. The suspect allegedly demanded he open a safe and tied him up, and then left in the victim's car.
Police say the suspect entered the home through an open garage door.
After investigating, police arrested the suspect, identified as 47-year-old Edgar Hernandez-Vega.
He's facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, robbery with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto, burglary, and battery.
Police are saying this can happen to anyone, regardless of the neighborhood. So, no matter where you live, double-check all your doors and make sure everything is closed and locked.
"If you do have a security system, make sure you arm that security system before you go to bed," said Reno Police Officer Hunter Mercurio. "If you also have exterior lighting that you could turn on to let people know that you are home. Any deterrence you do have could help keep people who may be casing neighborhoods or looking for a house to break into."
If you are confronted by a burglar, whether armed or not, Officer Mercurio says, sometimes it's safer to comply with them.
Of course, there's always the option to defend yourself.
However, he tells us it's better to recover property rather than respond to someone who's been hurt or killed trying to fight off the invader.
If you are a neighbor who notices something suspicious, Mercurio says not to hesitate to call police.
"It's better to be safe than sorry, and if we can be proactive and prevent a crime from happening instead of reporting that crime, that's the best case," he said. "But if you do need to report, please call 911 if you are in an emergency situation."
Reno and Sparks Police are asking people to report any information or video of the suspect in the Marsh Avenue, Sharon Way, and Walker Street areas in the early morning hours of Monday.
