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WEST VALLEY CITY — A suspected burglar was arrested by police after a neighbor who came outside to investigation the commotion confronted him with a shotgun.
The investigation began about 11:40 p.m. Thursday when police were called to the area of 3200 South and 3600 West. Officers arrived to find Laulej Erakirk, 39, lying in the street with blood coming from his face and a knife on the ground next to him, according to a police affidavit.
Another man who lives in the area told police that he had heard yelling outside and windows breaking, and "due to previous burglaries in the area, he walked outside with his shotgun" to find out what was happening.
The man said he found Erakirk, who charged at him with a knife, the affidavit states.
"(The man) stated he believed (Erakirk) was going to stab him. (He) explained, in order to protect himself, he struck (Erakirk) with his shotgun a couple times," according to the affidavit.
The man told police that his shotgun was not loaded, which is why he hit Erakirk with the barrel of the gun.
As police continued to investigate, they said they determined that Erakirk had broken into a nearby apartment by shattering a window.
"I was advised that (Erakirk) was yelling and screaming for the victims to open up the door. Both victims advised me once (he) entered through the window, they both fled from the residence to get to a safe location. The victim advised me that he felt his life was in danger," according to the affidavit.
Another neighbor recorded what was happening on his cellphone.
"In the video you hear what sounds like glass shattering. The individual then makes a statement asking if people want to die," the affidavit states. "I strongly believe had the victims not taken quick action, (Erakirk) would have caused serious injury or death to the victims."
Erakirk, of West Valley City, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Friday for investigation of aggravated assault and burglary.
Correction: In an earlier version, Laulej Erakirk's last name was misspelled as Erakrik.
