A Newhall man is behind bars after taking a prybar and jumping into the backyard of a Saugus home to help himself to a stranger’s valuables.

An alert neighbor spotted Jose Olivo, 20, when he entered the yard in the 27000 block of Spandau Drive. Knowing the homeowner was not at home, the neighbor called deputies, who set up a containment of the area.

In the meantime, the homeowner arrived and startled the would-be burglar when he pulled into the driveway, according to Sgt. Darren Harris of the Santa Clarita Valley station.

“He was attempting to break into the back door when the resident came home and scared him,” Harris said.

The suspect hid in the area, but deputies were able to find him (with prybar concealed in a shirt sleeve) and he was positively identified by the original witness.

Olivo was booked at the Santa Clarita Valley station on suspicion of attempted burglary, a felony. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.