Updated: Home Invasion Thwarted by Angry Husband, Daughter

A man accused of trying to break into a Lake Forest home and getting into a scuffle with the residents was charged today with burglary and assault with a deadly weapon.

Orange County sheriff's investigators initially classified Jerrel Joseph Gower as a "person of interest," but that changed to fugitive when prosecutors this afternoon filed charges against him, Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.

Gower was charged with first-degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, all felonies. He also was charged with assault and battery, both misdemeanors, according to court records.

Gower also faces sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily harm. He is wanted on a $50,000 arrest warrant, Amormino said.

Just past midnight Wednesday, Gower is accused of trying to get into the home in the 20900 block of Parkside, Amormino said.

A woman who lives there with her husband and two children heard a male voice outside and saw a strobe light in her backyard, Amormino said.

A man then began banging on the front door and when the woman started opening it, he forced his way in, he said.

The woman's husband and a daughter rushed to her aid and tried to detain the intruder, but he knocked them down and ran off, Amormino said. A neighbor who heard the commotion tried to chase the man but lost him, he said.

Outside the house, deputies later found a flashlight on strobe setting and two glow sticks attached to black leather gloves, Amormino said.

Amormino said the occupants who scuffled with the intruder were "banged up" and reported minor injuries.

Anyone with information to Gower's whereabouts should call the OCSD at 714-628-7170.

—City News Service