(CA) Intruder shot by resident 01-28-05

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/9846342p-10701490c.html

Home intruder shot by occupant
Resident spent night in his garage, anticipating return visit after
previous thefts

Greg Collins says he fired one shot and injured a robbery suspect in the
elbow and hip. Collins, a contractor, says a series of tool thefts
prompted him to stake out his garage Wednesday night.

By ROGER W. HOSKINS
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: January 28, 2005, 10:39:43 AM PST

Greg Collins kept watch in his garage Wednesday night, two loaded
shotguns by his side. He was on guard for thieves who had burglarized
his Modesto home on Hackberry Avenue six times in three weeks.

Collins fell asleep but was awakened about 5:26 a.m. by a loud crash
when someone opened the garage door and a large box he had laid against
it scraped across the floor. The intruder turned on the lights and
walked into the garage, toward a large piece of plywood that covered
tools.

Still groggy from sleep, Collins grabbed a shotgun and told the intruder
to freeze.

“He lunged at me,” explained Collins. “I was very scared and I was
panicky. He took about one step. I aimed low and shot him.”

The intruder was wounded in the left elbow and hip. The wounded man
begged Collins not to shoot again and ran. Collins left his gun behind
and followed the wounded suspect part of the way down Hackberry to
Needham Avenue.

Michael Sanchez, 29, of Modesto, ran two blocks before collapsing in the
doorway of the Modesto Inn. He was treated at Doctors Hospital. He is
expected to be released in a couple of days. When he is released, police
say they will arrest him and charge him with burglary.

Modesto police spokesman Rick Applegate called the shooting “justified.
(Collins) acted in self-defense.”

Police said Sanchez has a criminal history for theft and an outstanding
$100,000 warrant for his arrest in connection with the burglary of the
La Loma Grace Brethren Church on Nov. 4.

Modesto police cautioned the public about imitating Collins or trying to
take the law into their own hands.

“Private citizens are discouraged from using lethal force absent a
threat to innocent lives,” said Lt. Dave Cooperider.

And Applegate said ambushing bad guys was a really bad idea. “I’m not
recommending someone lie in wait because the potential of them getting
hurt increases.”

That said, Applegate said, there was no “bad” in this story. “The guy
locked his door and put a box in front of the door. The suspect took
away his options. He put Collins in a position where he had to act.”

Neighbors near the Hackberry home were quick to close ranks around
Collins.

Asked if she thought the shooting was justified, April Weitl, 28,
replied, “Absolutely.”

Weitl lives directly across the street from the Collins home, which is
being remodeled with an additional floor.

“Greg came over a week ago and expressed concern over constant
break-ins,” said Weitl.
“My husband and I tried to keep an eye on the house, but when you’re
renovating, it’s hard to know who belongs and who doesn’t.”
Neighbor could relate

Weitl said her garage had been burglarized before she started leaving
the dogs out at night.
She felt personally threatened when she was confronted at her home by
what she termed “two drug users.”

“Two men approached me in my car and I had the kids so I drove off and
came back,” said Weitl.

Loretta Carhart, 65, lives across the street and two houses down from
Collins. “You doggone betcha I’m glad he shot him.

“There’s been a bunch of burglaries.” she said.
“Another guy on Hackberry has been burglarized twice and two houses on
Virginia were hit. I know one of the Virginia homeowners has a gun, too,
and he thanked Greg for getting that guy.”

Carhart said she was not ready to buy a gun.
“But I do know some judo and karate. They’ve broken into my back yard a
dozen times this last year. They’ve stolen a bicycle and my tools from
my toolshed and parts off an exercise bike.

“They’re coming from that Modesto Inn,” claimed Carhart. “That’s why we
need security around there.”

John Hinckley, a next-door neighbor, said he “slept through everything.
I woke up when the police knocked on my door.”

After the police left, he found his back door wide open. Somebody had
pried it but nothing was taken. Evaluating the morning’s events,
Hinckley endorsed Collins: “I’m glad he defended his property.”

Painter Jeremy Ojan was on his way to Collins’ home to place a bid on
work there. He arrived on the scene while police tape still surrounded
the property. Initially worried, he breathed a sigh of relief when he
heard the homeowner was OK, and his mind quickly returned to business:
“As long as (the job) is still up for bid.”

Rumor shrugged off

When he heard a rumor that the suspect might lose an arm because of the
shooting, Ojan shrugged it off. “If (the suspect) loses it, he won’t be
able to climb through windows again. It’s good that people are fighting
back.”

Collins said he didn’t want to kill Sanchez. “I’m a Christian man. I
don’t want to hurt anyone.”

That was why he used a light round, a No. 6 BB, in his shotguns. “That’s
what I use to hunt pheasant and I wasn’t going to buy (heavier round)
that might kill somebody.”

Collins and police said he had been robbed at least six times in three
weeks. Police confirmed Collins had reported two thefts, the latest on
Tuesday.

In the first burglary, thieves took $5,000 worth of tools from the
building contractor. Collins said he was hit again and again after he
replaced some of the tools.

“They broke in Tuesday night but they left a lot of tools behind. I knew
they were coming back.”
He said he told his wife and an employee on Wednesday that “tonight’s
the night.”

He also said he called police and told them he was going to sleep in the
garage with his shotgun.

Applegate confirmed an officer had spoken to Collins on Wednesday about
the thefts and his plans.

Collins initially asked reporters and photographers not to use his last
name or show his face. But he changed his mind.

“I don’t mind people knowing there is someone living here who would do
this. Maybe this will stop it.

“This was about more than just losing my tools. My family has stayed
here. It’s about my right to live here.”

Collins concluded that his conscience was clear. “I don’t feel bad. I
felt worse when I was being robbed all the time. This guy has cost me
enough already. I’m going to work.”