Local News

Police: Suspect Breaks Into Ex-Boss' House With Knife, Through Doggy Door

July 8, 2014 / 11:24 AM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A 30-year-old man is in the hospital after police say he tried to break into a home in Overbrook.

According to police, Michael Pistorius attempted to break into a home in the 2100-block of Walton Avenue and attempted to stab the homeowner.

Pistorius crawled through a dog door to break into a former employer's house, attempted to rob him and threatened to kill him.

"I thought it was the dog coming through the dog door. Here, there's a crazy man with a knife standing over us while we're sleeping," Frank Comport said.

Comport said he and his girlfriend were asleep on the couch of his home on Walton Avenue when Pistorius broke in.

"It was terrifying. It was the most terrifying thing I ever went through," Comport said.

With a knife to his throat and making demands for cash and his wallet, Comport said his girlfriend ran outside for help.

"She came running out crying saying Frank was being stabbed so I went in the house to call 911," a neighbor said.

"She was able to run out of the house while he was distracted with me and get my neighbor who came over with a ball bat," Comport said.

Armed with a baseball bat, Comport and his neighbor began to tussle with Pistorius, a former employee of Comport's who he says was upset after being fired.

"[He] stated, 'I will come back.' and apparently made good on his threat," Pittsburgh Police Sgt. Ron Tardivo said.

"Why did I fire him? He was a great worker. He's a kid with problems and I hope he gets help," Comport said.

Comport and his neighbor were able to hold Pistorius down after the fight spilled outside. Comport said he broke his foot and had superficial cuts from the knife.

Pistorius was badly beaten and taken to the hospital.

"He had a large laceration on the back of the head and bruising and other injuries about the face," Sgt. Tardivo said.

"If it wasn't for my neighbor coming over with the ball bat, God knows what would have happened last night. I'm in debt to him," Comport said.

Pistorius is facing charges of aggravated assault, burglary and robbery.