UPDATE: A 77-year-old woman in Fort Worth, Texas, has miraculously escaped a violent home invasion, dragging herself across broken glass after enduring a brutal attack. The incident occurred on Monday night, when an intruder identified as 21-year-old Cristian Mendez forced his way into her home, according to police and local reports.
Victim June Gruebel, who relies on a wheelchair, described the horrifying moment Mendez broke into her home. She was asleep when she heard banging noises coming from her neighbor’s home, which soon escalated to her own door. The intruder entered through an unlocked door, left ajar by her daughter-in-law.
Gruebel recounted, “He’s busting through the door. I kept screaming, ‘Help me! Help me!’ I screamed as loud as I could.” Unable to stand or walk, she faced a harrowing assault as Mendez knocked her to the floor and struck her with kitchen chairs, throwing frozen food at her during the attack.
In a desperate bid to survive, Gruebel crawled towards the door, stating, “I had to get out. If I cut myself, it was all good as long as I was out.” Covered in bruises, she managed to escape through the door, where a neighbor witnessed her struggle and immediately called the police.
The neighbor reported seeing Mendez acting erratically, throwing patio furniture around, and recognized the danger. “Oh yeah,” he said, reflecting on the potential outcome. “He might have killed her on his way.”
Authorities confirmed Mendez was arrested after resisting capture and attempting to grab an officer’s weapon. He now faces charges of burglary and attempted weapon theft, with police stating he remains in custody.
Despite the trauma, Gruebel approached her recovery with a sense of humor, noting, “The Hellman’s mayonnaise missed me over there by the window.” She expressed determination, saying, “I can’t fight back like I used to, but I’m going to fight any way I can.”
As Gruebel continues to recover from severe injuries, her story highlights the resilience of the human spirit in the face of violence. Police urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, as investigations continue into Mendez’s background and motives.
This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that can occur in our neighborhoods and the importance of safety measures. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
