A homeless man trying to steal from a Laguna Niguel home put a real estate agent in a chokehold until she nearly lost consciousness, sheriff’s officials said.
John Thomas Glenn, 23, was arrested in the attack on the 55-year-old agent, which took place about 1 p.m. Saturday as she accessed a lock box on the front door of the home, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said.
Glenn put her in a chokehold and punched her several times, nearly knocking her out, sheriff's officials said.
Neighbor Julie Bacino said nearby workers heard the woman's screaming and rushed over to see what was happening. The suspect then got into an altercation with a neighbor before fleeing.
Glenn was taken into custody the next day in the area of Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road as he walked out of a nearby park, investigators said.
According to investigators, Glenn said he was on drugs at the time of the attack and was attempting to break into the house so he could steal.
Glenn faces charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon -- his fists. He was being held on $50,000. He was expected to make a court appearance Tuesday.
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Sheriff's officials called the incident a crime of opportunity.
"Anyone can be in a situation where they're desperate, or whatever his situation was, and hurt someone, so we need to be more careful," said neighbor Kathie Gross.
A business partner told NBC4 that the victim was sore and was recovering from her injuries.
Vikki Vargas contributed to this report.
