Cayucos woman tells story of home intrusion

June 22, 2011

By LISA RIZZO

More information has surfaced about what happened at a Cayucos home Monday night after a stranger entered a family’s home.

Hilda Villalobos told CalCoastNews that Robert Auston Romero trespassed onto her property sometime after 2:30 a.m., entered her home, and went upstairs where her two children were sleeping.

Villalobos, who was writing at her downstairs desk and startled by the sounds of the apparent intruder, grabbed a knife and called for whoever was there to come down so she could trap him at the bottom of the stairs.

Meanwhile, she woke her husband, William Epstein, who was snoozing on the couch.  Epstein then proceeded to call 911 while his wife held Romero at bay.

The intruder was dressed in black and carrying an empty backpack. Suspecting Romero was attempting to rob her home, Villalobos told Romero she would not allow him to leave until she could see what was inside his bag.

While Epstien was out of sight, Villalobos confirmed none of her items had been taken. Romero then lunged for the backpack and pushed Villalobos against the wall.

They scuffled, prompting her husband to return to the stairwell and tackle Romero who then bumped his head, Villalobos said.

Epstien kept Romero on the floor while his wife, who was not hurt, called 911. While waiting for sheriff deputies to arrive, the suspect passed out and began snoring.

Romero was not charged with trespassing, assault or attempted robbery. He was however, arrested and booked into county jail on the charge of drunk in public.