People living in one east Bakersfield neighborhood are anxious and on alert after Kern County Sheriff's deputies say a homeowner shot a robbery suspect. Investigators say it happened just before 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the 5300 block of East Brundage Lane, and the suspect may not have been alone.
Deputies say 26-year-old Arturo Jose Luis Estrada, removed a screen and broke through a window to get inside the home. He was taken to the hospital after he was shot.
People who live nearby say they think would-be criminals have been casing their neighborhood.
Mary Leal says she is the aunt of the man who lives in the house where the shooting happened and she lives just down the road. "I feel like I'm in danger right now," she said.
Deputies say the homeowner called saying someone had broken into his house through a window and he shot him.
"When deputies got on scene they located the suspect. He had fled the residence on foot and had run about a half a block west of where they are standing and had collapsed. He was taken into custody," said Ray Pruitt, Kern County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies say Estrada was shot at least twice. He was taken to Kern Medical Center where his injuries are described as non life-threatening.
"We do believe there was possibly a second suspect involved who was to the front of the residence when the one suspect forced entry," said Pruitt.
Police believe that second person, a woman, ran away in the commotion of the shooting. And, it's leaving people like Mary, scared, since she's heard of other criminals in her neighborhood looking for opportunities.
"They are knocking on the doors to see if people are home. So, I've been hearing that that is what's been happening," said Leal. "Things are just starting to happen. I don't know if it's the Christmas or people getting out of jail. I don't know. I just don't know."
Deputies say it's too soon to say if the homeowner broke any laws. Estrada remains in police custody at the hospital and will be booked into the Kern County Jail for first degree robbery when he's released. They are still looking for the woman they believe ran from the scene.
