A homeowner was punched and almost stabbed Sunday after confronting a stranger he found in his backyard.

The incident began around 1:30 p.m. Sunday when a man, later identified as Evan Rice, 29, was seen jumping over a fence into the backyard of a residence in the 2900 block of Jubilee Drive, said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Russ Holeman.

The homeowner spotted Rice in his yard and confronted him, which is when Rice allegedly started to punch him. Rice is accused of pulling out a knife and attempting to stab the homeowner.

Rice then fled the home by jumping another fence and running through other backyards.

Officers responding to the area located Rice nearby and took him into custody. He was positively identified as the attacker by the victim.

Rice was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and for a probation violation.