-With AAP.
1. A home intruder has died after a struggle with a Sydney father.
A Sydney man who confronted an intruder who subsequently died was entitled to use “reasonable force” to protect himself and his family, a senior detective says.
Johan “Francois” Schwartz, 44, was quizzed by NSW Police after an intruder he confronted in his Harrington Park lounge room on Sunday died following a struggle between the two men.
“Generally people are entitled to their home and they’re entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves and their property,” Detective Chief Inspector Shane Woolbank told reporters.
Investigators say Mr Schwartz was woken on Sunday about 7.30am by his dogs barking.
He went to investigate “and challenged a male intruder located in the lounge room”.
“He confronted that male intruder and a struggle has ensued,” Det Insp Woolbank said.
“As a result of that struggle, the male intruder has collapsed and become unconscious.”
The intruder, 35, couldn’t be revived despite neighbours performing CPR and paramedics being called.
It’s believed Mr Schwartz’s wife and young child were home at the time.
Mamamia’s daily news podcast The Quicky will get you up to speed on what you need to know today. You can subscribe here. Post continues after audio…
The 44-year-old was taken to Narellan police station and quizzed. He was released on Sunday evening “pending further inquiries”.
Top Comments
The panic & shock experienced by a homeowner in finding an intruder in their home is understandable so I think whatever means they have at the time has got to be reasonable.
Sounds like that intruder may have had a pre-existing health condition to collapse like that. The force that was used may have not affected someone else in quite the same way.
Seriously, if someone broke into my home - I wouldn't be asking after their state of health.
I agree with you and don’t get me wrong I don’t hold the father at fault at all but something seems strange with this intruder. I wonder if he was unwell, confused and didn’t know which house he had entered. He night have been having some sort of medical episode.
I read on another news site that the intruder had been battling a cocaine addiction.
Oh ok, that might explain a lot.
#1 - finally, common sense prevails.
#2 - ‘campaign to counter anti-vaccination misinformation and reinforce the health benefits of the nation’s immunisation program’
IF you want to counter misinformation start by calling it by its proper name. It is a vaccination program. Immunisation is what you get after you get the disease and your body forms immunity against the disease for life. Vaccination attempts to replicate what nature does, however, it falls a long way short.
The flu vaccination is ineffective and honest health professionals should be telling you this. Free flu shots targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children is the most outrageous thing I’ve heard since the white australia policy.
Amazing that Mamamia refuses to publish comments that criticise its content and editorial decisions, but they see fit to post dangerously inaccurate anti-vax rantings (presented as fact) like this.
Or even comments that make a joke the moderator doesn't get.
Hell, I've had a comment removed for using the term "More front than Myer" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Amazing that you chose to criticise my comment without offering any substantive rebuttal, ironically while dissing the content of mamamia in your own little “rant”.