LA homeowner shoots intruder; suspect has extensive criminal record, authorities say
LOS ANGELES - A home invasion suspect who remains hospitalized in critical condition after being shot by a Los Angeles homeowner has an extensive criminal record for burglary, robbery, and firearm possession, FOX 11 has learned.
That suspect, identified as 35-year-old Chucks Chuckwudi of Los Angeles, was recently on probation, authorities said.
According to police, Chuckwudi tried to burglarize a home in the Valley Village neighborhood Monday, but he was greeted by that homeowner who was armed with a gun.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Homeowner confronts, shoots intruder at Valley Village home
It happened on Addison just off of Colfax around 3 p.m.
Sources told FOX 11 the homeowner's wife had left the house, and police believe that the suspects, thinking the home was unoccupied, broke in through a sliding glass door.
What they didn't expect was that the 56-year-old homeowner was home and armed.
There was a scuffle and one of the suspects deployed pepper spray. The homeowner armed himself with a handgun and fired several times, hitting one of the suspects.
Chuckwudi was shot in the neck and taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The second suspect managed to get away with a third suspect who was waiting in a car.
As you can imagine, this home invasion is the talk of the neighborhood.
"Yeah, crazy, middle of the afternoon. Not the time you would expect it, you know, curious how it all unfolded and came to be. I hope it all goes as it should for him. Somebody protecting their property doesn't always go that way, you know, especially more so here, I think, than other places," one neighbor said.
That homeowner was treated by paramedics for an injury due to the pepper spray.
Right now this appears to be a random crime of opportunity. Police believe this crew of burglars were staking this Valley Village neighborhood.
As for the homeowner, he was not arrested and, as of Tuesday, is not facing any charges.
Chuckwudi is still hospitalized but will be booked "for the appropriate criminal charges as the investigation continues and his medical condition allows,'' according to the Los Angeles Police Department.