Car Burglary Suspect Shot Dead Before Police Arrive : Crime: Two men who allegedly broke into a car were being held at gunpoint its owner, who said he fired when one of the men advanced on him threateningly.

A 29-year-old man confronted two suspected burglars in his car early Sunday and fatally shot one of the men while waiting for police to arrive, authorities said.

Harvey Dean Dunn told investigators that he tried to hold both men at gunpoint until police arrived and that he fired a shot when one of them threatened him and walked toward him.

Tony M. Martinez, 20, of Santa Ana was pronounced dead of a single gunshot wound to the head outside the apartments at 900 S. Park Circle, Police Sgt. Michael Murphy said.

The second burglary suspect, identified as Martin Rodriguez Valdez, 23, of Santa Ana, was arrested on suspicion of car theft and murder, although he did not pull the trigger.

“When you commit a felony and, in the process, someone gets killed, frequently co-defendants are (arrested on suspicion of) homicide,” Murphy said.

Dunn told investigators that he was awakened shortly before the 1:40 a.m. shooting by the sound of someone breaking into his car. While his wife telephoned police, Dunn told officers, he got his handgun and went outside to confront the thieves.

When he saw two men inside his car trying to remove the ignition, he said, he ordered both men to stay in the car and not to move until police arrived.

Murphy said Dunn told investigators that Martinez got out of the car, “threatened him verbally” and moved toward him. Dunn again told him not to move or he would shoot. When Martinez continued forward, Dunn told police, he fired a single round from his handgun.

“Our investigation into this matter is continuing,” Murphy said.

Dunn, reached at his Anaheim apartment, declined comment.

Murphy said he did not know whether Dunn had a permit for the handgun and declined to discuss whether he acted justifiably in shooting Martinez.

“The district attorney makes the decision on who is prosecuted for what,” Murphy said. “I could see a possibility where the D.A. will look at (Dunn’s) actions very seriously and make a determination of whether he acted properly under the circumstances.”