Indio, California

From the Desert Sun of January 18, 2010

Retired couple defend home against burglary

A man in a ski mask was shot by a resident after he forced his way into an Indio home Saturday night, police said.

The suspect fled the home with a gunshot wound, the weapon and an undisclosed amount of money after he confronted the residents, a couple in their “60’s or 70s,” Indio Police spokesman Ben Guitron said. The couple was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

“They were mostly shaken up,” Guitron said.

Police responded to the home at the 48-000 block of Andorra Street around 8 p.m., Guitron said.

The suspect allegedly entered the backyard through a side gate and smashed the rear glass sliding door, Guitron said. The suspect ordered the residents to lie down on the floor, began searching the residence, then scuffled with the husband, Guitron said.

During the scuffle, the wife obtained a 38-caliber handgun and shot the suspect once in the upper torso, according to evidence the police gathered, Guitron said.

The suspect disarmed the wife and was encountered by a neighbor who heard the commotion, Guitron said. The suspect fled in a waiting vehicle, described as a red Ford Mustang with a black top. A partial plate of 5PA was reported, Guitron said.

The suspect is described as white man, 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a medium build and wearing black clothes. Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at (760) 391-4057.