Newcastle, California



From Sacramento’s TheKCRAchannel.com of October 8, 2004

Residents Confront Alleged Burglars; 1 Dead



Suspect Shot After Allegedly Trying To Run Down Homeowner



A man who allegedly tried to break into a Placer County home early Friday was killed and his alleged accomplice remains at large after a struggle with the homeowners.



It happened about 6:30 a.m. at a home on Shirland Tract Road near Newcastle.



Authorities said a father and son spent the night at a home they were renovating to sell, when they were awakened by noises outside. When they went to investigate, they discovered two men trying to break into the home.



Investigators said the son confronted one of the men in the yard, while the father chased the other man, who jumped into a stolen pickup truck.



"The second suspect in the truck would not stop. After trying to run the father over twice, on the third attempt to run him over the father fired two shots into the truck striking the suspect. The suspect got out of the truck, ran a short distance and fell over and died," Placer County Sheriff's Department spokesman George Malin said.



The second suspect remained at large early Friday afternoon.

UPDATE (from Clayton): another, later account of the event is here.