Fresno man shot while trying to steal marijuana

FRESNO — During what appears to be an attempt at stealing marijuana, a 40-year-old man was shot and severely injured Wednesday morning in Fresno across the street from Roeding Park.

The man was one of several people in a red pickup truck who police say were trying to steal marijuana that was being grown at a residence in the 900 block of Belmont Avenue. Police believe the homeowner confronted the suspects and fired shots out of one of the home’s windows.

A woman in the suspect’s vehicle flagged down a passing garbage truck to call for help. Police received a call around 6:40 a.m. of a shooting victim inside the city park.

“The preliminary is that (the resident) was armed, he saw someone in some type of theft from his house and he shot at the person who was found here,” said Fresno police Lt. Mark Salazar.

Police detained a second occupant of the truck, but believe there were several other occupants that fled the scene before authorities arrived.

Police have yet to determine whether the marijuana being grown at the residence was legal. The marijuana garden, which is about 75 feet long and 50 feet wide, is easily seen from the street.

The homeowner was detained by police, but was not arrested.