Roommates fend off intruder in Orem home invasion

OREM — An armed Provo man invaded a home in Orem Sunday, but several roommates fought him off and sent him to the hospital with stab wounds, police said.

One of the four men living in a house near 400 South and Ridgecrest Drive (950 West) was awakened shortly after 7 a.m. by a man in his room, according to Orem Police Sgt. Craig Martinez.

He scuffled with the 22-year-old intruder, who was carrying a gun and apparently was trying to steal electronics, Martinez said.

"Another roommate came in to help out and they were able to take the gun away from the suspect," he said.

The gunman received multiple stab wounds during the skirmish and was taken to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He suffered a punctured lung and several lacerations to the head, chest and back area, Martinez said. One of the roommates also sustained some minor stab wounds and was treated at a hospital.

Police are investigating how the man, whose name was not released, entered the home and why the house was targeted.

— Paul Koepp