Spanish Fork neighbors wrestle knife-wielding burglar to ground

A knife-wielding burglar apparently picked the wrong Spanish Fork neighborhood to ply his criminal trade.

Spanish Fork police spokesman Steve Adams said officers received a 911 call about a man in a residential front yard with a knife just before 11 p.m. Wednesday near 800 East and 500 South.

"When officers arrived there was an individual being held down in the street by several citizens," Adams said Thursday.

Police say that the 25-year-old Salem man allegedly broke into a home and was taking items when a child awoke and began screaming. The boy's parents investigated, found the suspect and the father chased the man outside.

A struggle ensued during which the man pulled a knife, cutting the father's hand and stabbing him in the stomach. The mother, attempting to aid her husband, also was cut on the hand, police said.

Neighbors, alerted by the noise, came to the couple's aid and restrained the suspect until police arrived.

The couple were taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, treated for minor injuries and released, Adams said.

The suspect was booked into Utah County Jail, where he was being held without bail Thursday on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims