A HOMELESS man allegedly forced his way into a Westminster house and demanded food. (Shutterstock).

A homeless man who allegedly forced his way into a Westminster house early Wednesday morning and demanded food has been arrested.

According to WPD Deputy Chief Cameron Knauerhaze, the incident took place in the 14800 block of Cordoba Place (north of Bolsa Avenue and west of Magnolia Street). Officers were dispatched at about 5:56 a.m. to a home there in response to a report of a man forcing his way inside.

One of the three women living in the house was awakened by a loud noise. She was confronted by the suspect – identified by police as Michael Alan Garnett Jr., 44, an “unhoused” resident of Westminster. He had forced his way through a sliding glass door leading into her bedroom, say police.

Another woman awoke and escaped the house. A third woman, who had been asleep in a different bedroom, stayed and sought to speak to the man. The suspect allegedly lifted his shirt and brandished a hammer while asking for food.

The women said they followed Garnett to the kitchen and offered him food until police arrived. He sat on the living room couch and ate a banana and drank from a bottle of whisky he had found.

When police arrived they took him into custody without incident. He faces charges of armed robbery and burglary.

“I can only imagine how terrifying this must have been for the three victims,” said Knauerhaze. “Their quick thinking aided in the police response and probably saved them from harm.”

Anyone with more information on this incident is asked to call Detective J. Figueroa at (714) 548-3783.