Suspected El Paso burglar slashed with machete is jailed after hospital release

UPDATE, Aug. 27: El Paso police on Friday said an accused burglar who was slashed in the face by a homeowner has been released from the hospital and booked into the downtown jail.

The mugshot of 22–year-old Carlos Esteban Villaescusa was also released by authorities and shows the facial injuries he received.

He was being held on $50,000 bond on charges including burglary, evading arrest, criminal mischief and criminal trespassing.

UPDATE, Aug. 26: EL PASO, Texas -- A central El Paso homeowner struck an alleged intruder in the face with a machete early Wednesday, leaving the man hospitalized with serious wounds, police said.

Authorities said the homeowner confronted 22–year-old Carlos Esteban Villaescusa after hearing glass breaking and finding the accused burglar using a metal rod to try and break into the house in the 2600 block of Fillmore.

"Armed with a machete the homeowner told the man to leave but a confrontation ensued and the homeowner struck the intruder in the face with the machete," said Sgt. Enrique Carrillo, a police spokesman.

Villaescusa fled as officers arrived about 4:15 a.m. They chased him, eventually capturing him after he jumped into the backyard of another home in the neighborhood.

Detectives said they found evidence that Villaescusa had also tried to break into another home on that same street.

Once he's released from the hospital, police said Villaescusa will be booked into the downtown jail on charges including burglary, evading arrest, criminal mischief and criminal trespassing.

ORIGINAL REPORT, Aug. 26: EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- One person was taken to the hospital with critical injuries after police responded to a 'criminal mischief' call in central El Paso early Wednesday morning.

It happened in the 2600 block of Fillmore Avenue.

Police dispatchers told ABC-7 that a person was reportedly smashing windows in the neighborhood.

A police spokesman would not say how the person was injured.

Police did indicate that one person was arrested.