Burglar ransacked home, forced homeowner to withdraw money at bank, police say

When a burglar ransacking a Wilton Manors home was interrupted by the homeowner, his crime quickly turned violent, then escalated into false imprisonment and grand theft auto, according to police.

David Bryant, 47, faces 12 charges including two first-degree felonies — burglary with assault or battery and false imprisonment — which are punishable by up to life in prison.

On Tuesday, Bryant broke into the home through an unlocked bedroom window and began placing valuables into bags and boxes found inside the residence, according to a complaint affidavit.

Before Bryant was finished, the homeowner walked in and went straight to the kitchen, the affidavit said. Bryant approached the homeowner from behind, threatened him, forced him to the ground, then stole his jewelry and cash.

Bryant ordered the homeowner to lie on the ground as he loaded stolen belongings into the homeowner’s car, the affidavit said. After he had packed the 2013 Volkswagen, Bryant again demanded cash and forced the homeowner to his knees while threatening him.

Fearing for his life, the homeowner offered to withdraw money from his bank account, the affidavit said. Bryant forced the man into the Volkswagen, took the car keys from him and drove off toward a bank.

Once at the bank, Bryant used the man’s debit card to withdraw $880, the affidavit said. Shortly thereafter, the man managed to escape from the car, despite Bryant’s attempts to pull him back in.

Bryant drove off in the man’s car but was later stopped by a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy who saw Bryant run two red lights in Oakland Park, the affidavit said. The deputy detained Bryant in the 400 block of Northeast 38^th Street until the homeowner arrived and identified Bryant as his attacker.

The deputy found crack cocaine inside the car and later found the same drug concealed inside Bryant’s mouth, the affidavit said.

Bryant has 29 previous arrests in Florida on charges including armed robbery, burglary, battery and drug possession, records show. He is being held without bond pending trial.

Staff researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.

emiller@tribune.com, 954-356-4544 or Twitter @EmilyBethMiller