An elderly couple sitting at home on Tuesday night thought that a guest had arrived when they heard knocking on their basement door at about 6:30 p.m.

When the male homeowner, James Goertzen, answered the door, a man tried to force his way into the residence in the 32700 block of Bevan Avenue.

But that’s when Goertzen fought back. He used a baseball bat that he keeps by the door to strike the man in the sternum.

Then, he took further control of the situation.

“I put him in a death lock and held on until the cops came,” Goertzen said.

The Goertzens do not know the man and have no idea why he chose their house to try to break into.

The suspect was taken to hospital with minor injuries and is now in police custody.

Goertzen’s wife was taken to hospital as a precaution, as she suffers from heart problems and was having trouble breathing.

The 37-year-old suspect is expected to face charges of break-and-enter and assault.