MCALLEN – A Rio Grande Valley man is struggling to protect his disabled wife and their 10-year-old son.

Jerry Gonzalez told CHANNEL 5 NEWS suspects keep breaking into his property through their backyard. He said protecting his family isn't an easy task.

"I've got lung problems where I have to be on oxygen 24/7," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said he must carry an oxygen tank at all times. He's also confined to a wheelchair.

"I'm not supposed to be lifting anything because I have a heart condition where my right chamber has been enlarged,” he said.

In the last several months, Gonzalez said his family's safety has been put to the test.

He said whoever stepped foot into his yard, left behind a weapon.

"I have found a shotgun, a firearm that was placed outside my son’s bedroom window,” he said.

In spite of his three guard dogs, he said the break-ins continue. He believes extra lighting at his home may help.

"I don't know who it is what intentions they're actually coming over here with,” he said.

We counted the lighting around Gonzalez's home. There are only two lights on his street and no lighting in the backyard.

CHANNEL 5 NEW reached out to AEP Spokesperson Lee Jones. He said several Public Utility Commission deregulations passed in 2002 prohibit providers from installing lights for private individuals and private businesses.

"With that shotgun, for instance, it scared the living daylight out of me,” said Gonzalez.

He is now looking at other options to keep intruders out.

"I've started considering putting up a block fence,” he said.

AEP said if there is already a light on your private property, service providers can still conduct maintenance. If you had a light in the past and it was removed, it can still be reinstalled.