Business owner shoots suspected burglar during break-in

A suspected thief broke into Alderson's Automotive in Northeast Albuquerque on Saturday. Because the shop has been broken into so many times, the owner was inside and caught him red-handed. The sign on the businesses front door says it all, that Alderson's Automotive is protected by a gun. One suspected burglar, James Jake, learned that the hard way Saturday when he allegedly broke through a window and then the store cash register. “He wants to keep his business running, and he's not willing to give it away to the criminals,” said John Pricer with Disciple Tattoo. Disciple Tattoo is just a few businesses away from Alderson's, and Pricer said the crime has gotten out of hand. “It's kind of our job to watch each other’s backs to watch our neighborhoods,” he said. Sometimes that's hard, especially at night. So the owner of the auto shop had actually been sleeping inside his business. When he heard loud bangs and crashing noises on Saturday, he discovered someone had broken in. A criminal complaint said the owner feared for his safety, grabbed an AK-47 and fired one shot. “It's a matter of time. How many times can you let someone come into your yard, you know, if it was your backyard, after a few times, you're going to want to protect your property too,” he said. The suspect, Jake, was later arrested and taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the thigh. He told police he broke into the business to buy diapers for his kids. The business was closed Monday. Jake allegedly caused more than $3,000 in damage. He faces charges of burglary and criminal damage to property. KOB reached out to the owner of the auto shop but was told he is still pretty shaken up.

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