California homeowner shoots at man during attempted break-in: "An alleged burglar left a critical piece of evidence behind when he attempted to break in to a south Sacramento home early Wednesday morning: his car. James Villapando, 34, of Sacramento, parked his Toyota sedan in the driveway of a home on Florin Road, just west of south Watt Avenue, before allegedly attempting to enter the home through a window around 3:35 a.m., Sacramento County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Curran said. The homeowner heard the man trying to get in, armed himself with a gun and fired several shots, Curran said. Villapando was not injured and ran away from the home, leaving the car in the driveway, Curran said. Deputies found Villapando hiding out in the area about two hours later. Villapando, who was an at-large parolee, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and is being booked into Sacramento County Jail.


California Gang Member, 22, Shot During Attempted Robbery: "A 22-year-old man was killed when he tried to rob a man who was armed and shot him in Boyle Heights Sunday, police said. The shooting occurred just before 3 a.m. on Lorena Street near 6th Street, said Officer Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department's media relations section. Fernando Sedano, described as a member of the "White Fence" gang, and a fellow gang member were driving down Lorena Street with Sedano's girlfriend and another passenger in the back seat. Police said Sedano stopped the car and, with the other gang member, apparently tried to rob a man walking down the street, police said. The intended robbery victim pulled out a gun, and as the two struggled for the weapon, shot Sedano in the chest. Sedano was taken to White Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead."



California marijuana shootout leaves one dead: "A homeowner apparently engaged in a gun battle with two masked men who tried to break into his marijuana garden, killing one of the alleged assailants and ending up seriously wounded himself. Nevada County sheriff's deputies say the Saturday night shootout started when two masked men armed with assault rifles broke into Dusty Beck's home in North San Juan, just north of Nevada City. Beck fatally shot one of the assailants with a shotgun, the sheriff's department said. Investigators did not immediately name the 31-year-old Yuba County man who died at the scene. Beck, 43, was shot once in the leg and twice in the abdomen. A hospital spokeswoman said he was recovering after surgery at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he was taken by helicopter. The second robber fled, said Nevada County Sheriff's Det. Ray Kress. Kress and sheriff's Lt. Bill Evans said the robbers apparently wanted the nine marijuana plants they found on Beck's property. Beck has previously reported similar theft attempts, Evans said. Lt. Joe Salivar said Beck is unlikely to face homicide charges because he was apparently defending himself during a home invasion. Narcotics officers were assisting with the investigation, but will leave it to the district attorney to decide whether Beck should face drug charges, Salivar said Monday."