San Diego

An off-duty detective was shot in the arm Tuesday during an early-morning confrontation with three car thieves at the officer’s home, police reported.

Emmitt Henderson, 44, heard noises at 2:48 a.m. outside his home in the 6000 block of Fennell Avenue and went out to investigate, police spokesman Dave Cohen said.

Henderson confronted two men who were breaking into his car. A third man, who was hidden near the garage and apparently acting as the lookout, fired three shots at the detective.

Henderson, who was armed with his service revolver, was hit once in the left arm, and the thieves fled on foot before he could return fire, police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Henderson, an 11-year veteran assigned to the San Diego Police Department’s Western Division substation, was listed in good condition Tuesday after undergoing surgery at Mercy Hospital.

No arrests have been made, and police have no suspects in the shooting, Cohen said.