Long Island Family Fights Off Knife-Wielding Home Invasion Suspect

Violent Home Invasion Foiled

• 💡 A masked man with a knife broke into a home in Elmont, Long Island, at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday.
• 🎯 The intruder, identified as Franklin Ramos, demanded money and threatened to kill the homeowner, Maria Merrced.
• 💥 Merrced, a grandmother, fought back against the attacker, who had entered through a window.

Intergenerational Defense

• 💬 Merrced's daughter heard the struggle and joined in, attempting to disarm the suspect for approximately 40 minutes.
• 🤝 A grandson woke up, assisted in subduing the intruder, and helped disarm him.
• 🏃‍♂️ The grandmother and grandson then pursued the suspect down the block until police arrived.

Suspect's Criminal History and Bail

• ⚖️ Franklin Ramos, a resident of St. Albans, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• 📜 Prosecutors stated Ramos has a significant criminal record, including 24 prior convictions, multiple aliases, and four arrests this year.
• 💰 A Nassau County judge ordered Ramos held on $300,000 bail, deeming him an extreme flight risk.

Family's Resilience and Message

• 🩹 The grandmother and her daughter sustained injuries requiring surgery, including nearly severed fingers.
• 🙏 The family expressed gratitude for being alive and for apprehending the suspect, preventing potential future harm to others.
• 💪 They hope Ramos learns to appreciate life more, emphasizing the strength of the women he targeted.