A Sydney father who confronted an intruder who subsequently died had previously commented that he had no sympathy for thieves who were caught in the act.

Investigators say Harrington Park resident Johan Francois Schwartz, 44, was woken about 7.30am on Sunday morning by his dogs barking and “challenged a male intruder located in the lounge room”.

The 35-year-old intruder, personal trainer and weightlifter Bradley Soper, collapsed and became unconscious following a struggle, detectives say. He couldn’t be revived by paramedics.

Mr Schwartz was questioned for several hours by police on Sunday but was subsequently released without charge pending further inquiries.

A Reddit social media account linked to Mr Schwartz commented on February 3 on a video showing an alleged mobile phone thief being held and pulled alongside a car by someone in the vehicle.

View photos Francois Schwartz was released without charge after the intruder died in his home. Source: 7 News More

View photos Brad Soper died at a home in Harrington Park on Sunday morning. Source: 7 News More

The thief, whose hand was in the car, is repeatedly punched in the head by those said to be the potential victims of the theft.

“If he is committed to crime, he will next time bring a gun and target someone more vulnerable like an 80-year-old,” the Reddit comment states.

“No sympathy. The person on the receiving end of his crime could also be poor, and worked hard at an honest job to buy that phone. What does his theft do to that honest person?”

The comments were made two weeks before the break-in at Mr Schwartz’s home on Sunday.

Homicide detectives are assisting in the investigation and are awaiting the outcome of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of Mr Soper’s death.

View photos Soper was a strength and conditioning coach, according to his Instagram account. Source: 7 News More

Mr Schwartz’s wife and young child were home at the time of the incident.

Residents entitled to use ‘reasonable force’ to protect themselves

Detective Chief Inspector Shane Woolbank on Sunday said “generally people are entitled to their home and they’re entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves and their property”.

Criminal defence lawyer Omar Juweinat says a “reasonable person” would likely feel threatened and fear for their family if they disturbed an intruder in their home.

That could form the basis of a legal defence, he said.

“You wake up to find an intruder … I’d be perplexed if police charged an occupant for defending their family,” Mr Juweinat saidon Monday.

“If he was prosecuted it would shake up the law in a way I’ve never seen.”

View photos The Harrington Park home where the incident took place. Source: 7 News More

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