For Immediate Release

Washoe County Sheriff's Office Detectives are asking for the public's assistance in locating a suspect involved a home invasion that occurred in the Lakeside, Bartley Ranch area last weekend. Deputies responded to a call of a burglary in progress in the early morning hours on Sunday, October 26th.

At approximately 0200 hours the homeowners saw a man climbing through their bathroom window. The homeowners saw that the suspect held a hammer in his hand as the suspect began advancing toward them. A brief skirmish ensued. In his attempt to subdue the suspect, the homeowner was hit in the head with the hammer. The suspect then dropped the hammer and fled the residence. The homeowner was taken to a local hospital for sustained injuries and subsequently released.

The suspect is described as a male adult approximately 6 foot+, with a medium build. He was wearing a hoodie and bandana over his face.

Washoe County Sheriff's Detectives are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect. Anyone having information relating to this crime or the suspect should contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office at 328-3320, Secret Witness at 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com, or text the tip to 847411 (TIP 411) Keyword - SW.

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Any person who forcibly and unlawfully enters your home, whether or not it's occupied, poses a serious threat to the safety of your family, as well as your property. There are a number of steps residents can take to help protect themselves. Here are a few simple suggestions that will help deter a potential thief from targeting your home:

• Start by walking around your property looking for possible ways in which an intruder might get in. Check to make sure window latches and door locks are working properly. Keep them closed and locked at all times.
• Keep curtains closed and blinds shut.
• Also look for places near entry points where an intruder might hide and wait for an opportunity to enter through an open door. Ideally, doors should not have large sections of glass that could easily be broken, giving access to an interior door handle or locks.
• Keep the exterior of your property well lit at night. Without the cover of darkness, home invasion becomes much more risky, and less attractive, for a would-be thief.
• Visibly post "No Trespassing" and/or "No Soliciting" signs on your property.
• Stay in communication with your neighbors. Communication among residents provides extra security to your neighborhood. Any information you can share is crucial to law enforcement working to prevent crime in your community.

For more safety tips and other information about services provided by the Sheriff's Office:

• Visit the WCSO on Facebook
• Install the free WCSO app from the appropriate app store for your device
• Follow the Sheriff's Office on Twitter at: @washoesheriff
• Sign up for the Sheriff's monthly Community Partnership Connection eNewsletter at WashoeSheriff.com.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

Attached audio files...

Download this audio file - (Home Invasion in Bartley Ranch area - 1 MB mp3)