Tempe man expecting roofing crews becomes home invasion victim

TEMPE, AZ - A Tempe man expecting roofing repair crews to be at his apartment door unexpectedly became the victim of a home invasion and robbery Thursday night.
 
Police responded to a call regarding a robbery around 5:40 p.m. off Orange Street near Dorsey Lane and University Drive.
 
The victim told police that when he heard a knock at the door and opened it, the two men pushed past him and entered his apartment.
 
The two suspects assaulted the victim and shoved him to the floor, gathered items from inside his residence and forced the victim to leave the apartment with them.
 
The suspects walked with the man to a nearby convenience store where they forced him to withdraw money from his bank account at an ATM.
 
The two suspects then released the man and walked westbound from the store, according to police.
 
The victim immediately told the store clerk about the incident and officers responded to search the area for the suspects.
 
Men who matched the description given to police were seen walking in the area of University and McClintock drives.
 
After being identified by the victim, the suspects were arrested.
 
Police identified the men as Garret Austin Jors, 18, and Burtron Smith, 20.
 
Jors and Smith were booked for aggravated assault, kidnapping, burglary and strong arm robbery.
 
According to police, the suspects admitted to the crime as well as watching the victim walk home beforehand, noting that he would be an easy target.
 
"Even if you are expecting someone don't just take it for granted that it is them. When you go to answer the door you should ask who they are and who sent them," said Alex Santa Maria, a personal safety expert and owner of Way of the Dragon Martial Arts.
 
Santa Maria said not to open a door if you don't have to but when you do, open it with a little attitude and be prepared.
 
"If you are by yourself and someone is at the door and you are kind of startled then you can say (as if to someone), 'Hey, can you get the door?' out loud so they think someone is there with you, " he said. "When you do have to open the door, put your foot behind it and brace the door with your shoulder so they can't push past you."
 
Make sure you try to get a look at who is at the door before you answer it. Never send children to answer the door or even to look and see who is at the door.
 
Many companies will tell you in advance who is coming to do service at your home and some will even send a picture of the service technician who will be showing up.