CAR BURGLARY SUSPECT SHOT BY HOMEOWNER, SETS FIRE TO PROPERTY

East County News Service

June 17, 2017 (Boulevard) – Anthony Saldana, 29, has been arrested after a rampage at a home in the 3400 block of Crestwood Road in Boulevard.  Fox 5 news reports that the 85-year-old homeowner spotted the suspect trying to steal his car around 4 a.m. and ordered him to leave.   

“The suspect started yelling and rushed at the property owner, who retreated inside his house,” Sergeant Carlos Medina said. “The property owner armed himself with a handgun but remained inside the house while the suspect continued to move about the property, yelling and acting in an emotionally disturbed manner.”

The elderly homeowner fired shots to scare off the suspect, striking him in the arm. But the injured man allegedly continued trying to break into vehicles, then set fire to a vacant prefabricated home on the property, destroying the dwelling.

Saldana was arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment. He is expected to face charges of arson, burglary and attempted vehicle theft.

The homeowner was not arrested, since he was apparently defending his home, his wife and himself during the frightening incident.