FORT WORTH, Texas — A 77-year-old woman, who is wheelchair-bound, experienced a harrowing home invasion when an intruder broke into her residence and assaulted her late Monday evening. The victim, June Gruebel, managed to escape her brutal attacker by crawling across broken glass to seek help, showcasing her resilience amid a terrifying ordeal.
Fort Worth police reported that the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Cristian Mendez, allegedly forced his way into two homes before confronting Gruebel in her living room. Following the attack, Mendez was apprehended and now faces charges including burglary and attempted assault on a police officer.
Gruebel described the moment the intrusion occurred. She was awoken by loud banging, initially believing it was coming from her neighbor’s home. It wasn’t long before Mendez burst through her front door, catching her by surprise. With no ability to flee or defend herself, she was quickly knocked to the ground, where the assault began.
“He was breaking through the door,” Gruebel recounted. Desperate for assistance, she screamed out for help, but her cries went unanswered as she faced a barrage of blows and objects hurled at her. The attack escalated as Mendez struck her with kitchen furniture and even threw frozen items from her fridge, leaving her with severe injuries.
Realizing she needed to escape, Gruebel managed to drag herself toward the doorway, despite the painful cuts from the glass on the floor. “I had to get out,” she said. “If I cut myself, it was all good as long as I was out.”
Fortunately, a vigilant neighbor witnessed Mendez’s erratic behavior outside and recognized that something was amiss. After seeing Gruebel crawling out of her home, the neighbor promptly called the authorities, potentially saving her life. “I knew he was up to no good,” the neighbor stated, reflecting on the frantic scene.
Once outside, Gruebel found herself under the watchful gaze of her neighbor, who expressed relief that she had managed to escape the potentially fatal situation. “He might have killed her on his way,” he noted, highlighting the seriousness of the attack.
Despite the extensive bruising and physical trauma she endured, Gruebel maintained a spirit of determination, vowing to keep fighting. “I can’t fight back like I used to, but I’m going to fight any way I can,” she asserted, bringing a touch of humor to her situation by mentioning a jar of mayonnaise Mendez missed when he threw it at her.
Meanwhile, authorities reported that Mendez not only resisted arrest but also attempted to grab a weapon from an officer before being taken into custody. As of Wednesday, he remains in jail, facing charges for his violent actions.
The community has rallied around Gruebel, providing her support as she recovers from the traumatic event. This incident underscores the urgent need for awareness regarding home safety and the unpredictable nature of such violent crimes, reminding residents to remain vigilant.