LAGUNA NIGUEL, Cali makes the news

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Woman outwits sword-wielding burglar

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. - A woman outsmarted an apparently drug-addled burglar who threatened her with a sword, authorities said. Robin Ricketts, 52, said she awoke early Thursday when she heard strange noises coming from her home office.

Downstairs, she found a man with an 18-inch sword getting ready to make off with her computer and other electronics, said sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino.

The man, identified as Timothy Clinch, 31, allegedly then held the sword to Ricketts' throat, forcing her into a chair.

The burglar told Ricketts that he had tied up her husband. But Ricketts said she knew her husband was sleeping upstairs, along with their two children.

"He was completely delusional," Ricketts said.

When the intruder ran outside, apparently in pursuit of Rickett's husband, whom he believed had escaped, Ricketts locked the door behind him.

Authorities soon found Clinch hiding behind a nearby SUV and arrested him.

Sheriff's officials who booked Clinch on charges of burglary, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon said he had narcotics in his system.

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