Man fleeing from police shot by homeowner
Suspect entered house near Avenue B through doggie door
A 38-year-old man who was fleeing from police Wednesday afternoon was shot and injured by a homeowner after he entered the house through a doggie door while trying to avoid being captured.
According to Sgt. Lori Franklin, of the Yuma Police Department, the incident began around 1:45 p.m. when an officer spotted the suspect, who had a warrant for his arrest, near the Las Flores Apartments, located at 145 S. Avenue B.
A foot pursuit ensued, with the suspect, now identified as Jesus Gildardo Coronado, running west across Avenue B and into a dirt lot on the corner of Augusta Drive, where he jumped the backyard fences of three residences.
“At that point our officer briefly lost sight of the suspect,” Franklin said.
Yuma County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Alfonso Zavala, said while officers were searching for him, Coronado made entry into a residence in the 2500 block of West Augusta Drive, where he was confronted by the homeowner, who was armed.
A confrontation took place between the homeowner and suspect, during which several shots
were fired, with one hitting Coronado in the hand.
Hearing yelling and the gunshots, the Yuma police officer entered the residence and was told by the homeowner that Coronado had fled out the front door and had taken his weapon.
Coronado was located across the street and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to Yuma Reginal Medical Center with one, non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Once released, Coronado will be booked into the Yuma County Detention Center on suspicion of robbery, aggravated assault and an outstanding felony warrant for unlawful flight from law enforcement.
There were no other injuries reported.
The YCSO Criminal Investigation Bureau has assumed the investigation and is currently working the case.
This case remains under investigation. Anyone with any information concerning this case is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. People can also visit the YCSO website at www. yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.