Cameron, Texas

From the Cameron Herald of March 1, 2007

Suspect injured in botched burglary

A botched burglary in the 600 block of 13th Street in Cameron early Saturday morning ended with a Rosebud man being shot.

James David Toffelmire, 28, was shot by a 12-gauge shotgun around 3 a.m. on Saturday after he attempted to break into a home and steal a vehicle from that same residence according to Cameron Police reports.

The homeowner was awoken by the noise of someone trying to get into the front door of the house. He told police that when he opened the front door, Toffelmire was standing at the passenger side of the homeowner's 2003 Ford pickup with the door open. The assailant then stared at the homeowner, and walked around to the driver's side of the truck.

The homeowner said he then went inside and grabbed the gun.

According to reports he then came out and saw Toffelmire with his hands below the steering wheel, possibly trying to start the vehicle or getting ready to pull out a weapon.

The homeowner then fired one shot, a dove load of small pellets according to police, into the front windshield of the truck, spraying pellets into the front seat and striking Toffelmire.

The burglar then fled the scene on foot as the homeowner called for police.

Cameron Police Department officers Patrick Guffey and Kris Stringer located the subject about two hours later hiding in the bushes at a residence on 12th Street.

Toffelmire was arrested and taken to Central Texas Hospital to have 12 pellets from the gunshot removed from his chest and face according to officers.

He was then booked into the Milam County Jail on charges of burglary of a vehicle. He remained in jail as of Wednesday with bond set at $2,000.

The homeowner is not facing any charges and police say that they will not be seeking to press charges against him. However, the Milam County district attorney will make the final decision.