Man shot by property owner after breaking into barn in St. Clair County

CLYDE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A man caught breaking into a pole barn in Clyde Township was shot after driving his vehicle at the owner of the property, authorities say.

Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 6000 block of Lapeer Road Monday on a report of a breaking and entering in progress.

While deputies were en route, they were told shots had been fired at the scene and the suspect had driven away.

The property owner, a 50-year-old man from Port Huron, said he had made a report to Michigan State Police about the barn being broken into. He came back Monday and discovered more of his property sitting outside the pole barn. He decided to wait and see if the suspect would return.

The suspect, a 23-year-old Port Huron Township man, did eventually come back to the property; the owner was armed with a pistol and called dispatch.

Police say the suspect jumped into his car and drove at him. The owner said he shot his pistol at the vehicle in self-defense.

Police say it was later discovered that the suspect had been shot in the face. He is currently hospitalized.