LOS ANGELES—A 64-year-old man who died in a struggle with a would-be burglar inside his Lincoln Heights apartment was identified on July 5, while a search continued for his assailant.
Jose Mancia died in the confrontation that occurred about 9:30 p.m. Monday at 2008 Griffin Avenue, according to police and the coroner’s office. Mancia was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said he appeared to have suffered some type of blunt-force trauma during the struggle with the intruder.
The victim’s wife was in the apartment at the time but was not injured. Police said the couple had been outside watching July Fourth fireworks but were back inside their apartment when the attempted burglary occurred.
It was unclear if the suspect, described only as a male, stole anything from the apartment or if he was armed with a weapon.
A man identified as the victim’s younger brother told ABC7 that the victim walked with a cane, and he may have tried to hit the intruder with the cane.
“This guy maybe hit him, and that’s why he died,” Oscar Mancia told the station.
The male suspect, who was wearing a mask and dark clothing, fled the scene and remained at large Tuesday.
