COSTA MESA : Resident Wounds Prowler Suspect

A Costa Mesa man shot a suspected prowler after chasing him through a Costa Mesa neighborhood, police said.

Dioniosio Gallegos, 21, of Costa Mesa was wounded in the stomach and listed in a stable condition at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana. He is expected to be charged with suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Matt Collett said.

The incident began about 11:40 p.m. Wednesday, when police said resident Steven Marques, 23, saw someone peeping through his apartment window in the 2000 block of Wallace Avenue.

“Marques grabbed his semiautomatic pistol and went outside to confront the prowler,” Collett said. “The prowler refused to stop . . . and a chase began.”

Marques chased the suspect south on Palace Avenue, Collett said.

“He yelled for residents to call the police . . . and fired three warning shots to get him to stop,” Collett said. “The suspect stopped but picked up a piece of board and tried to strike Marques.”

Collett said the suspect then dropped the object and ran, with Marques still in pursuit. At the intersection of Weelo Drive and Wallace Avenue, the suspect picked up a broomstick and swung at Marques, striking him in the head, Collett said.

When the suspect “charged” Marques, Collett said, the resident fired again, wounding the man.

“Marques then began to knock on doors, asking residents to call the police,” Collett said.

An investigation is continuing, police said.