ANDERSON — Police say an Anderson man tried to stab a pair of Good Samaritans when they caught him burglarizing a home Friday.

Anderson police arrested Christopher A. Gibson, 31, at about 6 p.m. Friday at the Anderson Police Department on suspicion of attempted burglary resulting in bodily injury, a Class A felony, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor. He was being held without bond late Monday for allegedly violating probation in an unrelated case.

According to a probable cause affidavit:

A pair of Good Samaritan neighbors confronted Gibson after they spotted him trying to break into a home in the 400 block of Coventry Drive by removing a window air conditioner. Gibson told several outlandish stories about why he was trying to get inside the house, and the neighbors decided to call police.

Gibson tried fleeing, and began fighting with the neighbors when they tried detaining him. Gibson pulled out a screwdriver, and attempted to stab one of the neighbors, but the man was able to force the weapon away. Gibson then brandished a knife, and again tried stabbing the neighbor.

The neighbors were able to keep Gibson at the scene until police arrived, but then the suspected burglar began fighting with officers. One neighbor suffered a cut to his hand, while the other suffered a broken finger.

Attempts to reach the two men were unsuccessful Monday.

During the police investigation, one of Gibson’s relatives told detectives that since Gibson’s release from prison a few months ago, he has been breaking into the homes of elderly relatives.

Gibson has previous convictions for escape, auto theft, resisting law enforcement and burglary. He was released from prison in late August, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.

Investigators discovered Gibson had several suspicious items with him when he was taken into custody, including gloves, flashlight and several screwdrivers. Gibson denied trying to break into the home.

Gibson has not been formally charged with any crime. He made an initial court appearance Monday, but a magistrate approved a request from prosecutors for an extra three days to file charges. He could also face misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and resisting law enforcement.