INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — After getting a call from an alert neighbor, a resident returned to his home to find a stranger sitting on the sofa. That stranger was ultimately arrested and faces charges that include armed burglary of a home.
The neighbor called the homeowner to alert him to the suspicious activity and the owner returned home, according to authorities.
The owner found a man later identified as Michael Miles, 56, of 4349 30th Avenue in Vero Beach, in his home. Miles was arrested on felony charges for armed burglary of a dwelling and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon.
He also faces a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities found a copper device in his sock the defendant said he uses to smoke crack cocaine, according to the arrest report.
When the homeowner returned to the house, he confronted Miles. Miles told the victim he was armed with a knife and then fled the home.
No items were reported stolen, though a television and an Xbox game console had been unplugged and the console removed from its usual place.
Authorities arrested Miles shortly after the incident and found a folding box cutter style knife in his jacket pocket.
Miles is being held in the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $40,500 bond.