AHWATUKEE, AZ — An Ahwatukee home invasion victim who was attacked with a "fireplace tool" nearly lost his ear.
Phoenix police report that on December 11 around 11 p.m., a man was asleep in his Ahwatukee home when he heard a loud crash coming from his back door.
The 68-year-old resident went to investigate and found a man, later identified as 22-year-old Donell James, in his living room. James allegedly beat the man with an object police described as a "fireplace tool." Court records show that James continued to strike the victim until he stopped moving.
James then reportedly took the victim's wallet and car.
Police say it took the man 30 minutes to crawl back to his bedroom and call for help. Court paperwork shows the victim had cuts and bruises to his head, arms, hands, and a partial detachment of his ear.
According to police, the victim's credit card was used in Casa Grande and a store in West Texas. The stolen car was found in a small town east of Dallas, where James was arrested.
Inside the car, police reportedly found a blood-stained shirt and other evidence.
James has been charged with multiple offenses, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, and car theft.
