Phoenix-area dad fights off intruder to protect young daughter

PHOENIX — Police in Tempe said the father of a toddler struggled with an intruder who moments earlier had been holding the child.

The unidentified couple told authorities they woke up early Thursday to find their 2-year-old daughter in the arms of a stranger.

Police arrested 34-year-old Oren Cohen of Glendale as he ran from the apartment near Priest drive and Warner Road after the confrontation with the child’s father.

The little girl’s mother called emergency dispatch during the men’s fight in the living room. The woman had woken up when she heard the child lightly crying.

Sgt. Josie Montenegro said the child appeared to be unharmed.

Cohen was arrested on suspicion of burglary and aggravated assault but other charges were possible once the investigation was finished.

Police say Cohen was at the apartment complex visiting a friend and doesn’t remember how he ended up in the victims’ apartment due to his impairment.

No other details were immediately available.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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