OCEANSIDE, Calif. - New surveillance video shows the moments before a man broke into an Oceanside home and held a gun to the 86-year-old homeowner.
Just before 9 a.m. on July 4, surveillance footage shows a pickup truck driving on Overlook Drive for about half an hour. The cameras then capture a man wearing a baseball cap, walking and picking up something.
Police believe the man picked up a rock and used it to smash a window next to a front door moments later.
A few minutes later, the same man is seen walking away from the house carrying items. Soon after, he's spotted walking back toward the house.
At this point in the video, police believe the man is inside the home for more than 20 minutes when the homeowner, driving a white car, pulls in.
Police said the intruder confronted the 86-year-old homeowner with a semiautomatic handgun in the garage.
"He pointed the firearm at the victim and forced him to lie on the ground," said Oceanside police Public Information Officer Ryan Keim.
Neighbor Nancy Mabers, a friend of the homeowner, told 10News, "He started shaking. I think you go into shock and fear for your life."
"The suspect's face was covered with bandana or cloth. He kept one eye visible. He kept telling the victim, 'Don't look at me. Don't look at me,'" said Keim.
That man made off with jewelry, cash and casino chips.
Police believe the camera recorded that man casually walking away as neighbors went about their business.
"The victim is a nice, kind and generous guy. This is a very upsetting. It's very sad because it takes away the security you've always felt," said Mabers.
The suspected burglar is described as a white or light-skinned Hispanic male, 25 to 30 years old, 180 to 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, a grey long-sleeved shirt and black or blue shorts with a large white stripe on the sides.
The suspected burglar's vehicle is believed to be a black Dodge 4-door pickup with tinted rear windows, a chrome front grill and shiny chrome rims.
If you have information on the case, call Oceanside police Det. Bill Wallace at 760-435-4892.
