A Florida man has been praised for his quick response and courage after he confronted and severely subdued a suspected home intruder who entered his sister’s home in Wilton Manors, just north of Fort Lauderdale, in the early hours of Saturday, September 27, 2025.
The man, Henny Rojas, a trained mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, said he was asleep when his teenage nephew woke him up in distress, saying a stranger was in the living room. Rojas quickly sprang into action, relying on his training and instincts.
“I’m prepared. It’s not my first time; I don’t feel pain. Nothing,” Rojas told CBS12. “I don’t have guns; I wasn’t looking for a knife just God and my hands, that’s it.”
The intruder, later identified as 31-year-old Austin Carasani, reportedly entered the house while Rojas’ sister, Patrizia, and her husband were away in Miami. Their son immediately phoned his mother while his uncle physically engaged the suspect.
Rojas, who has been practicing MMA for about three years, overpowered Carasani and restrained him until police officers arrived at the scene. By the time authorities took him into custody, Carasani’s face was visibly swollen with welts and bruises.
Just hours after the incident, Carasani appeared before a judge with noticeable injuries. In his defense, he claimed he had been drinking heavily at a nearby club and mistakenly entered the Rojas home, believing he was heading to his friend’s house in the area.
However, Rojas and his family said they had never seen the man before and had no connection to him. Police charged Carasani with home invasion, and he is currently being held at Broward County Jail with his bond set at $20,000.
Patrizia Rojas, who received the terrifying call from her son while away in Miami, described the panic of the moment.
“He was screaming, ‘Mom, call police, someone has broken into the house,’” she said.
The incident has since left the family shaken but thankful for Henny’s presence and swift action.
For Rojas, the confrontation was not just about physical skill but also about family duty. He expressed satisfaction that his training allowed him to protect his nephew without the need for weapons.
“Protect your family,” Rojas urged. “There are a lot of crazy people [who] don’t believe in God, who [are] only looking for damage.”
Authorities have not yet clarified whether alcohol was a significant factor in the case or if Carasani faces additional charges.
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