Phoenix neighbors pound skull-mask robber

PHOENIX, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A Phoenix robber wearing a skull mask got more than he bargained for when his intended victims beat him with a baseball bat, police said.

The suspect, 33-year-old Justin Pare, suffered a severe head injury and a broken nose and had to be hospitalized after the Friday night robbery attempt, police said.

Sgt. Andy Hill told The Arizona Republic a resident of an apartment in the Sunnyslope district apparently thought the masked man climbing in his kitchen window was playing a joke. Pare allegedly showed he was serious by pulling a gun and demanding money.

The resident bolted to a courtyard area, where a party was under way. Pare allegedly chased the victim and then tried to stick up the entire crowd.

Pare was beaten with the bat and a board and dropped two guns, then fled in a car. Police caught up with him in a parking lot.