Trucker Who Shot Suspects in Burglary Won’t Face Charges

The district attorney’s office will not file charges against a truck driver who shot and wounded two men allegedly trying to burglarize his rig this week, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Deputy Dist. Atty. John Anderson said the main issue was determining whether trucker Fernando Sancho’s use of force was reasonable under the circumstances.

“A thorough evaluation of all witness statements and physical evidence revealed insufficient evidence to justify the filing of criminal charges,” Anderson said. “There was insufficient evidence to disprove that Mr. Sancho was in reasonable fear of his life at the time of the shootings.”

At his home in La Habra late Thursday, Sancho would not discuss the case except to say that he was happy with its outcome. “I think justice prevailed,” he said. “I am very satisfied with the law.”

He said he will hold a news conference today to answer questions.

Scores of people have called prosecutors and the La Habra Police Department to express anger at the arrest of Sancho, who had been guarding a $250,000 load of frozen seafood.

“It’s a very emotional case for the public,” Anderson said. “It’s not an opinion poll, but certainly in self-defense issues a question of reasonableness has a community standard involved.”

Sancho, 39, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he wounded two of three men who allegedly tried to steal his load early Monday. Authorities said Sancho had parked his rig in a commercial strip and was sleeping inside, a rifle by his side, to protect the cargo.

When he was awakened by three men, Sancho chased them and began firing his rifle, police said.

After the shooting, investigators questioned whether Sancho had fired after the men were no longer a threat.

The three men, all from Los Angeles, have been charged with burglary. Two remain in the hospital recovering from wounds, and the third is scheduled to be arraigned today in Orange County Municipal Court in Fullerton.

Anderson said the burglary charges were filed against the trio because one of the men had managed to get into Sancho’s truck before the shooting.

Sancho was detained after the incident but released later Monday.

Sancho’s attorney, Orlando Castano Jr., called his client with the news Thursday afternoon and said Sancho was grateful to everyone who supported him.

“He was relieved and thankful,” Castano said. “The overwhelming public support was very comforting during this time.”

Sancho is scheduled to return to work today, his attorney said.

Times staff writer David Haldane contributed to this report.