Suspect Wounded After Car Alarm Awakens Owner
Liem Thanh Nguyen’s sleep was interrupted early Thursday morning by the sound of his car’s remote alarm, and a trio of men were interrupted by Nguyen and a .38-caliber revolver.
Two ran away, said Santa Ana Police Lt. Robert Helton, but Nguyen held the third and shot him in the thigh.
The suspect, identified as Jose Diaz Martinez, 22, of Santa Ana, “was holding a screwdriver, and he started to advance at Nguyen, waving the screwdriver,” Helton said. “Nguyen was afraid (he) was going to attack,” so Nguyen fired at the ground. The bullet, however, hit the suspect in the upper left leg.
The suspect turned to run, but collapsed two doors away. He was taken to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, where he underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition Thursday.
Martinez was booked on suspicion of burglary and possession of a concealed weapon. Police were still seeking the other two men.
No charges were filed against Nguyen, 20, pending review of the incident by the Orange County district attorney, Helton said.
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