Chesterfield Police arrest suspect after early morning break-in

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A suspect has been arrested after an early morning break-in took place in Chesterfield on Wednesday.

According to the Chesterfield County Police Department, they are investigating a break-in that happened on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at around 5 a.m. near the 6900 block of Partridge Run and Stable Gate Road.

Officers arrested 33-year-old José Rivera-Martinez, who police said has no connection to the homeowner. Rivera-Martinez is charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny and possession of burglary tools.

Police said the homeowner was asleep when he heard glass shattering inside his bedroom.

“I heard glass breaking and the glass fell inside my house, and it was in my bedroom. And I thought, that’s not good. Somebody is trying to break into my house,” the homeowner said.

He immediately grabbed his phone and revolver before confronting the intruder.

“I got my revolver, and I got my phone. And I moved to the door where I could see what was going on. But I wasn’t where he could access me,” he explained.

While on the phone with 911, he shouted a warning to the suspect: “If you enter this house, you’re going to be dead.”

Officers arrived within minutes and took Rivera-Martinez into custody. Video sent by a viewer shows police ordering the suspect to surrender with his hands raised on an attached roof.

The homeowner said the experience left him shaken but thankful for the quick police response.

“Make sure that you have some means, however that is, to defend yourself,” he said. “I’m right here next to the police station, and as far as I’m concerned, I couldn’t be in a safer place. But it just goes to show that this can happen any place, anywhere.”

Police said Rivera-Martinez was experiencing homelessness, but investigators are still trying to determine why he targeted the home.