After forgetting to close his garage door Tuesday night, a Deltona man awoke to the sounds of a man trying to take his television off the wall, authorities said.

The would-be thief attacked the 26-year-old resident in his home at 754 Crawford Court, said Volusia County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Laura Williams, and, after a brief struggle, he fled on foot.

Williams said the suspect gained access to the house through the open garage and began to remove property from the residence before he was interrupted trying to get the television.

“The investigation showed the suspect had removed a firearm and PlayStation from the living room and loaded it into one of the victims’ unlocked vehicles in the driveway,” Williams said. “Keys to the vehicle were lying on a table in plain view in the home.”

Deputies responded to the call just after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. A search was conducted involving K-9 units, deputies and a helicopter, but the suspect was not found.

“Neither the male resident or his live-in girlfriend was injured in the incident, which appears to be a random crime of opportunity,” Williams said.

Anyone with additional information about this home invasion is asked to call the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-248-1777 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS or westopcrime.com. Tipsters remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

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