Home Intruders Make Fatal Mistake of Breaking Into Armed 72-Year-Old Man's Home -- Guess What Happened

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A 72-year-old homeowner immediately retrieved his handgun when he heard several home intruders attempting to gain entry to his Las Vegas residence early Monday morning. And when the criminals entered his bedroom, he opened fire, killing one of the suspects and sending the rest fleeing, KLAS-TV reports.

"Several intruders, had gotten into the home, entered his bedroom and he fired at least one shot, and they fled," Metro Police Officer Bill Cassell said. "It is unusual, first of all, to have multiple people burglarizing a residence, especially when they are carrying weapons."

When police eventually arrived at the Las Vegas home, they found one of the intruders trying to escape in a car. The car hit a patrol car and then the suspect attempted to flee on foot, however, police were able to take the man into custody.

A second suspect, described as a Latin male, was last seen running from the neighborhood where the attempted robbery took place. He remains at large. Police found a third male, armed with a handgun, dead in the homeowner's backyard. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound.

The incident was the second time in three days that a homeowner in Las Vegas had used a firearm during an attempted burglary and fired at an intruder.

The elderly homeowner, identified as Dr. Joseph Piracci, is also a recent burglary victim. Police say charges against Piracci are not expected.