He managed to force the armed intruders away from the home, without them hurting any of his family members. And without anything getting stolen.
The victim, whose name was not released, was treated at Peconic Bay Medical Center after the 1 a.m. incident at what police described only as a downtown home.
"He was cut on the back of his head when he was hit," Detective Dixon Palmer said of the victim. "He also broke a finger during the struggle. And [the burglars] just got to the point where probably the wife was about the call the police and they fled."
He said the three men, who all wore hooded sweatshirts that shielded much of their faces, had accessed the home through a window. They then ambushed the family, with one of the men flashing a silver handgun and demanding cash.
After the men fled the home, the victim told police he went outside and heard car doors slamming from a location around the block. "Then he heard a car pulling away at a high rate of speed," Det. Palmer said.
Police believe the three home invaders were known to the victim.
The children, all under 12, were awoken by the commotion, but stayed in rear bedrooms, Det. Palmer said.
Anyone with information is being urged to call detectives at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential.
mwhite@timesreview.com