Homeowner Defends Property from Thieves

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Laton homeowner confronted two men with his pistol after they broke into his garage.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office said that deputies were dispatched Friday afternoon to the 17000 block of Everett Avenue in Laton, CA for a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, they found the two suspects face-down as they had already surrendered to the homeowner.

The homeowner believed one of the suspects was armed with a handgun. After the suspects refused to respond, and fearing for his safety, the victim fired multiple shots at the suspect's GMC pickup. The thieves immediately complied with the victim and laid on the ground until deputies arrived. The suspect's handgun turned out to be a metal pistol grip impact wrench.

Kings County Sheriff's deputies arrested 32-year-old Antero Mangaser and 36-year-old Jose Nieves, both of Laton, and had the two booked into the Kings County jail for various criminal charges.

The stolen property, which included approximately $1,200 worth of miscellaneous tools, was returned to the victim.

No one was injured during the incident.