A 69-year resident of Millcreek Drive in Ceres shot an intruder in a suspected home invasion robbery Monday afternoon.
Police received 911 calls at 2:35 p.m. reporting the sound of gunshots and a man screaming as he ran from the house in the 2300 block of Millcreek. When they arrived at the scene, a trail of blood led them to the backyard of a home across the street. The 31-year-old suspect, David Lucas (who also goes by the name Christopher Lucas) had been shot twice, said Sgt. Jose Berber. The wounds, which did not appear to be life threatening, included one that tore through his rectum.
The resident who shot the intruder was cooperative with police outside the residence. Berber said the victim was working inside his garage when Lucas appeared with a knife and attempted to rob him. The victim made his way over to where he kept his .38 caliber handgun and then shot twice at the suspect. The suspect began struggling to get the gun when the owner shot the suspect twice, causing him to run away in pain. Officers believe Lucas was attempting to hide from the homeowner or police.
Officers found a knife and a gun inside the house.
Lt. Brent Smith of the Ceres Police Department said Lucas arrived in the neighborhood in a Yukon which he is suspected of stealing from the 800 block of Central Avenue just 13 minutes before the attempted robbery. The Yukon was parked east on Millcreek.
Lucas was found to have a no bail warrant issued by the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department for failure to report to a work release program.
Once discharged from the hospital, Lucas will be booked in the Stanislaus County Jail for the warrant and additional charges.