Pennsylvania man stabbed with samurai sword during home invasion attempt
A Pennsylvania robbery suspect was hospitalized after being stabbed with a samurai sword during a home invasion Tuesday morning, authorities said in press release.
The suspect, identified as Marcus Armstrong, 35, attempted to rob two people, a man and a woman, outside of a Norristown home, according to Norristown police.
Police told ABC News' Philadelphia station WPVI that Armstrong forced his way into the Norristown home, where he encountered the male victim armed with a samurai sword.
"The roommate defended himself. He had the samurai sword and took a swipe at the suspect," Det. Josh Samuels told WPVI, referring to the male victim. "It was a pretty chaotic scene this morning, I would say for sure."
Police followed a trail of blood dotted with evidence from the crime scene to where they found Armstrong, authorities said. He was found by police with a severe cut. He was transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he remained in stable condition, according to authorities.
Investigators alleged the incident was a random crime of opportunity, claiming that Armstrong targeted the victims after seeing them exchange money outside, police told WPVI.
Police confirmed Armstrong's weapon was a fake gun, authorities told WPVI. He faces burglary and robbery charges, according to Norristown police.
"We get lots of instances where sometimes there's victims, sometimes they fight back. We never advise it, but this time someone fought back, and the fact that they used a samurai sword, I can't tell you the last time we've even seen one," Det. Stephen Sowell told WPVI.
All alleged robbery attempt victims were unharmed in the incident.
Court records show Armstrong previously pleaded guilty to several charges in Montgomery County, including burglary in 2011 and theft from a motor vehicle in 2012.
The investigation is ongoing.
