SF POLICE ARREST SUSPECT
IN MISSION DISTRICT HOME INVASION ROBBERY

By Angela Hokanson, Bay City News Service

February 8, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - San Francisco police arrested a man suspected of assaulting a woman with a hammer during a home invasion robbery in the Mission District of San Francisco Monday morning shortly after the robbery occurred, according to police.

Jerome Houston, who is also known as Jerome Fortson, is suspected of entering a residence in the 100 block of Linda Street by kicking in a back door at around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Houston allegedly attacked a 25-year-old woman in a bedroom of the residence. When the woman started using a hammer to defend herself, the suspect grabbed the hammer and began striking her with it, police reported.

The suspect fled the residence with a digital camera, according to police.

Houston was located at 21st and Valencia streets after the victim's neighbors called police and the victim provided police with a description of the suspect. The victim identified Houston as her assailant, police reported.

Houston, 54, has been charged with attempted murder, burglary, robbery, and violation of parole.

The victim is in the hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries, police reported.

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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