Winnipeg man says home invader 'pulled a knife on me and we had a scuffle'

A Winnipeg man who was the victim of what police call a "terrifying" home invasion says he doesn't know why he was targeted by an assailant who came to his house carrying a bag with a bizarre collection of items, including a clown mask and a club made from bicycle parts.

Romeo Miniotas, 67, says he was doing paperwork and listening to music early in the early pre-dawn hours of Friday morning, when the lights at his house in the Burrows Central area of the city suddenly went black — and a man came to the front door.

"[He] got in, pulled a knife on me and we had a scuffle," said Miniotas.

Miniotas, who lives in the house with his wife and nine-year-old daughter, said when the man entered, he was asking about young girls who live in the home. After that, he pulled the knife and the struggle ensued.

Miniotas remembers telling his wife to call police.

"I told her call 911 on her phone, while I was fighting with him and making sure I didn't wear the knife," he said.

Miniotas said police officers showed up and took the man into custody.  

I'm not sure if I can put into words how terrifying this incident must have been for that family..- Const. Jay Murray

Winnipeg police said Saturday they believe the 28-year-old man they arrested forced his way into the home just before 4 a.m., after tampering with the home's electricity meter and cutting off its power. 

Police said the man had a bag that included the clown mask and homemade club, along with tape and a possible garrotte-type weapon made from a chainsaw chain and bicycle parts.

"I don't think someone who's up to anything good would be carrying these items," police spokesperson Const. Jay Murray said at a news conference Saturday.

Though no one was seriously injured, Murray said the incident is unusual and must have been terrifying for the family. 

"I'm not sure if I can put into words how terrifying this incident must have been for that family," Murray said. 

"This is an incident that may weigh with that family for a long time."

Man was spotted outside home on Christmas Eve: police

The suspect wasn't known to the family, but he was spotted outside the home on Christmas Eve and had been inquiring about the young girls, according to Murray.

Miniotas said he doesn't know why the suspect targeted his home. 

"I've seen him before Christmas in the parking lot here and there, and he's questioning me [about] if I owned a truck, I owned a house, and who's the girls and whatnot," said Miniotas.

"I just told him it's none of his business and walked away."

The 28-year-old man now faces numerous charges, including breaking and entering and assault with a weapon. Police believe the incident was likely related to methamphetamine​ use, Murray said.

Miniotas said he has lived in the home for 25 years. His wife doesn't feel safe in the house now, he said, so they may end up selling and moving.

"We're just going day by day right now," he said.

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