MUSCLE SHOALS — A Muscle Shoals man police said broke into a residence and robbed a neighbor at knifepoint last week is in jail on burglary and robbery charges, officials said.

Kendrick Rashad Echols, 22, 2600 Avalon Ave., Lot C-10, is charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary, police said Tuesday.

Echols is accused of breaking into a residence in the Muscle Shoals Trailer Park on Jan. 3. Police said Echols lived in the same trailer park as the woman who was robbed.

“The victim said she recognized his voice because he had been around her residence before,” Muscle Shoals police detective Capt. Lanny Coan said.

Authorities said Echols is accused of breaking in the trailer about 7 a.m. on Jan. 3.

“She said she heard someone at the door, looked out and saw a man who later pushed his way into the house,” Coan said.

Police said the woman said the man, who had his face covered, entered the resident pulled a pocketknife, which he held to her throat and demanded money.

“The woman didn’t speak English well, and she started hollering police in Spanish,” Coan said. “He apparently got scared and ran off.”

Police said the man dropped his knife while leaving.

During the investigation, authorities picked up Echols for questioning and he admitted he owned the knife.

The blade on the knife was still open when it was found, according to police.

“He said he lost it a few weeks earlier while playing football outside,” Coan said.

Echols is being held in the Colbert County Jail.

The charges are Class A felonies and punishable by 10 years to life in prison if convicted.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.