Man arrested for knifepoint robbery during home invasion at North Texas apartment complex for seniors
WHITE SETTLEMENT – A man who allegedly robbed a woman at knifepoint during a home invasion early Friday has been arrested, police said.
Francisco Avila, 21, has been charged with burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony, according to the White Settlement Police Department.
White Settlement police said they responded about 3:30 a.m. to the home invasion in the 8400 block of Tumbleweed Trail at the Oak Timbers Apartment Complex. Oak Timbers is an apartment complex for active seniors, according to its website.
Police said the caller, a woman in her late 60s, was a resident who said an unknown man entered her apartment and robbed her at knifepoint. There was a police supervisor already at the complex who responded immediately, police said.
The woman told police that she was sleeping when she was awakened by the man standing over her with a knife touching her throat. She said the man demanded "some of her property." She said she attempted to push the knife away from her neck and suffered a severe hand wound, according to police. Police said they believed the man left the scene with some cash and keys that belonged to the woman.
The woman was taken to a local hospital and was later released.
A smartphone found near the crime scene was identified as belonging to Avila. A neighbor found the phone with its flashlight on and alerted the police. Detectives used the phone to identify and detain Avila. Items possibly related to two other felony offenses were also discovered, police said.
Meanwhile, Avila is in the White Settlement Police Department Detention Facility, awaiting transfer to Tarrant County Jail.