Man accused of burglary, threatening occupants of Estero home

ESTERO, Fla. —

A man is accused of breaking into a home in Estero and threatening the people inside, Lee County Sheriff's Office deputies say.

According to an arrest report, deputies responded to a burglary in progress on Feb. 12. At the scene, they detained a suspect, Jose Alberto Alen, 29.

One of the occupants of the home reportedly told deputies that Alen began breaking the side windows of the residence. They add that Alen moved to the front door, broke the window and tried to enter the house.

The occupant reportedly told deputies that they armed themselves with a kitchen knife and held the front door in an attempt to stop Alen from entering. They add that Alen then went to their car, which he reportedly damaged.

Deputies confirmed that the vehicle was damaged, with both side mirrors and taillights ending up shattered.

The other occupant of the house reportedly told deputies that they arrived home from work and saw Alen loitering outside. They said that they told Alen to leave. Two hours later, they added, Alen returned.

Alen reportedly began knocking on a bedroom window, which the occupant says they locked. The report says that Alen punched the window, causing it to shatter.

Video footage from a doorbell camera obtained by deputies reportedly shows Alen trying to remove it from its mounting bracket.

A witness to the event reportedly told deputies that they heard the sound of glass breaking and a woman screaming, and that they then called 911.

While at a hospital for minor injuries, deputies say they found a bag with a white, powdery substance on Alen's person. They say that the substance tested positive for cocaine.

Alen was taken to the Lee County Jail and charged with burglary with assault or battery, simple assault with threat of violence, two counts of criminal mischief damage to property $1,000, resisting without violence and possession of a controlled substance.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.