A 28-year-old man accused of shooting a man in Orange who caught the suspect breaking into his car was behind bars Friday on suspicion of that crime and was due in court on charges of leading police on a chase earlier this month.
Kevin Michael Coleman, who was arrested Wednesday night, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday on charges of evading a peace officer and reckless driving, theft with a prior felony conviction of stealing a car and buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment, all felonies. Those charges relate to a March 4 incident, according to court records.
Coleman was also booked on suspicion this week of shooting a 42-year-old resident of Orange who caught the thief breaking into his car on Jan. 29, said Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department.
The man, whose name was not released, was apparently getting ready to leave for work about 4 a.m. when he noticed the suspect rifling through his Toyota Prius in the driveway in the 2500 block of north Skytop Court, McMullin said.
“He’ll be OK,” McMullin said of the victim’s wounds. “It was close, though. He got shot in the upper torso area.”
The victim chased the suspect to Portico Terrace and Hawksfield Way, where the shooting occurred, McMullin said. The man got help from a neighbor who called 911, and paramedics took him to a hospital, McMullin said.
Police discourage crime victims from chasing suspects, preferring they call 911 right away, McMullin said.
The police pursuit on March 4 happened in Buena Park, McMullin said, adding he didn’t have other details of that incident.
It’s unclear where Coleman resides. His driver’s license said Lawndale, but he hails from Utah, McMullin said.