Woman fends off suspected burglar with gunshot

BARSTOW • A woman fended off an alleged burglar by shooting at him after he tried breaking into her Octillo Drive home on Tuesday morning, according to Barstow Police. The suspect was later arrested in a nearby backyard.

The 49-year-old resident fired one shot and missed the suspect, Eric Charles Anderson of Barstow, who allegedly tried to break into her home through several entryways.

Police believe Anderson, 27, first tried to open at least one door to the home, according to a Barstow Police report. Anderson then removed a screen to a bedroom window and forced the window open.

As Anderson started coming into the window, the armed resident threatened to shoot him from inside the home if he came nearer, according to police. He left toward the front of the home where he tried to break in again.

The woman then shot at Anderson and he fled. Barstow Police officers responded to the incident at about 8:10 a.m. and found Anderson hiding in a nearby backyard, according to the report.

No injuries were reported. Police could not release information on the victim or the type of gun involved in the incident, according to Sgt. Mark Franey.

Police found that the bullet fired by the resident missed Anderson and struck a wall across from the home. The woman reported to police that she did not know the suspect.

Anderson was taken into custody and booked into jail at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Barstow station on a charge of burglary. His bail is set at $10,000.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Andrew Reyes at the Barstow Police Department at 760-256-2211. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or leave information on the WE-TIP Web site at www.wetip.com.

CONTACT THE WRITER:
(760) 256-4126 or cnguyen@desertdispatch.com