
While his sister hid in the closet Fernandez, a brown belt in karate, decided to attack.
"I jumped off my (bunk) bed and I grabbed my sword... and I just waited for him," he told Local10.com.
Fernandez lunged at the burglar with his samurai sword, striking him in the chest. "He freaked out," Fernandez said.
The 15 year-old then chased the burglar down the street while his sister called the police. A police dog found the burglar hiding behind a bush in a nearby house.
Javier Cotera was arrested and released early the next morning on bond.