El Monte burglar rams victim's car while attempting to flee

EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- An El Monte man came home to find an alleged burglar inside his driveway. Surveillance video shows the suspect ramming a stolen vehicle through the homeowner's front gate during his desperate attempt to flee, almost hitting the victim.

The violent getaway attempt occurred Tuesday at approximately 11 a.m. in the 4000 block of Shirley Avenue.

"The victim had returned home and discovered the suspect, Adan Vega, walking out of the residence. Fearing for his own safety, the victim retreated down the driveway, toward the street where his own car was parked," El Monte police said in a statement.

Vega found keys to an SUV belonging to the man's daughter inside the home and attempted to flee the scene. In the video, the suspect repeatedly hits the iron gate, heavily damaging the minivan behind it and nearly running the victim over. It takes the suspect several tries before he busts through the gate and squeezes by the now dented minivan.

The 19-year-old suspect was arrested a short distance away. Vega was charged with burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and grand theft auto.

"Luckily for the victim, he was able to recover all the items that were taken from his home, which included home personal electronics and approximately $6,000 in cash," El Monte police Cpl. Aram Choe said.

The victims were afraid to go on camera, but told Eyewitness News they're relieved the suspect was caught by El Monte police.