Burglar who tunneled into office shot by startled business owner, California cops say

Police responding to a burglar alarm early Monday at a Redlands, California, property management office couldn’t find signs of a break-in, officers say.

But when the owner arrived at 5 a.m. to check things out, he found someone inside, Redlands police reported on Facebook.

Police said the intruder, who had tunneled through a wall from an adjacent office, rushed the man as he opened the door. The owner opened fire with a handgun, wounding the man.

Clemente Wilson Valenzuela, 37, who police described as homeless, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, KTLA reported.

Police and fire personnel treated him at the scene and took him to a hospital, where he was reported in critical condition, officials said.

Police said they had been investigating a series of recent burglaries in the area. No charges have been filed against the business owner.