‘I smelled crack in there:’ Los Angeles man finds suspected squatter in home for 2nd time

A homeowner in the Valley Glen neighborhood of Los Angeles subdued a man Thursday morning he says was squatting on his property and it wasn't the first time.

Thursday's incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. at a two-story home on the 13500 block of Heart Street.

Mike Martirosyan said he was moving his trash out when he realized there was a light shining on the second floor.

He said the home is being remodeled and he thought that a worker may have left the light on so he went upstairs to investigate. "I smelled crack in there and all kinds of things," Mike said.

"That's when I confronted him on the second floor ... I said 'open the door.' When he opened, he tried to attack me," Mike said.

He then wrestled the intruder to the ground and subdued him until police arrived.

The suspect was injured and taken away in an ambulance to be evaluated at a local hospital before being arrested.

"He's lucky. I was armed too. I'm licensed and armed ... It's not right. My kids are here," Mike said. "I spend a lot of money paying taxes but I don't feel safe in this neighborhood, to be honest with you."

The family believes the suspected squatter had been staying in the room for several days. Personal items believed to belong to the suspect and toiletries were found inside the bedroom.

Mike said the man tried living in the same room about two months ago.

The first time, Mike said he chased him out but police would not take him in because he was no longer on the property.

"Well this time I busted him in the same place," Mike said.

Authorities said the suspect was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing and was given $0 bail.