Florida Resident Claims Intruder Stabbed His Eye and Bound His Fiancée in Assault

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida couple is recovering after what police are calling a targeted and violent home invasion.

Investigators said the suspect, 49-year-old Stephen Houpt, had previously done repair work on the couple’s home.

McKenzie Bray said Houpt showed up at her house Tuesday afternoon while she was inside alone.

“He did a little bit of work for us, fixing up damage done by hurricanes and [to] get the house in better shape,” Bray told Nexstar’s WFLA.

Believing he was the mailman, Bray opened the door. Detectives said Houpt forced his way inside, hit her in the head, and tied her up.

Her fiancé, James Allen, returned home during the attack.

“He had her tied up, taped up on the bed,” Allen recalled. “Then he wanted to knock me out when I got home and tie us up and take our money, he said.”

Neighbors said there had been a power outage for several hours that day after a nearby electrical incident — something they believe may have made the couple more vulnerable.

“There was the power explosion so there was no power for a good four hours from about 1:30 to 5:30 [p.m.] so my thinking is that [the suspect] had to know there was no power and took advantage of no cameras,” said neighbor Christina Wilkes.

Police said Houpt attacked Allen with a screwdriver and a knife.

“He stabbed me in the eye with a screwdriver and then in the hand with a knife,” Allen said. “I took his knife from him and started stabbing him.”

Both victims were injured but managed to fight Houpt off. He was also stabbed during the struggle and remains in the hospital.

“I’m lucky the cops came and I didn’t have to kill him,” Allen said.

Once released, Houpt will be booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges including home invasion robbery, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment.