BELLINGHAM - A burglar was tackled by a homeowner Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 9, after the Ellis Street resident returned home to the sound of footsteps upstairs, police said.

The homeowner, 50, saw his back door had been kicked open when he arrived at his house in the 2300 block of Ellis Street at 4:30 p.m., said Bellingham police spokesman Mark Young. He walked inside and heard someone traipsing around upstairs. Nobody was supposed to be home, so he stepped outside and called 911.

Before police could get there, the suspect jumped from the second story to the backyard, Young said. The homeowner chased him and tackled him. They fought - the victim taking some punches to the face and chest. The suspect broke free. He sprinted to an alley carrying a backpack, according to police.

A traffic cop, who had been patrolling a nearby school zone, jumped from his cruiser and nabbed the suspect within about a minute of the backyard fight.

Jacob Edward-Gene Stout, 20, was booked into jail on suspicion of burglary in the first degree and assault in the fourth degree. In the backpack police found brass knuckles, 1.2 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, Young said. So Stout also faces criminal charges for having drugs and illegal weapons.

The homeowner didn't need medical aid. Police believe his house was burglarized at random.