Man arrested after 11-year-old NJ boy discovers burglar inside home

WAYNE, N.J. (WPVI) -- A middle school student in North Jersey is being praised for his reaction when he walked into his house and saw an intruder in his living room.

Surveillance video shows the moment 11-year-old Alan got home from school and heard the burglar walking around the first floor.

Alan left quickly and quietly and then flagged down a neighbor, who called 911.

The police came right away and arrested the suspect.

Now Alan has a message for anyone else who might walk into a scary situation.

"Lock your doors, do the same thing which I did especially if he has a gun or any type of weapon. That's certainly what my DARE officer told me - thank you Mr. Ellis!" he said.

Police have identified the burglar as 23-year-old Thomas Coughlin, who is the landscaper for Alan's family.