Man was shot during home break-in
(Might be the rapist police are looking for)

By Jeremy Meyer/The Gazette
Edited by Mike Braham; headline by Andy Obermueller

November 21, 2000
http://www.gazette.com

Anthony Peralez, 40, of Colorado Springs is suspected of breaking into a house in the 1200 block of Prairie Road late Saturday and being shot by the 72-year-old female homeowner, whom police refused to identify.

The burglary suspect fled from the house. Police later pulled over a car they thought had caused two hit-and-run crashes shortly after the break-in, said Sgt. Rod Walker, head of the Colorado Springs major crimes unit.

Officers noticed Peralez, who was driving, was bleeding from possible gunshot wounds, Walker said.

Peralez was in fair condition at Memorial Hospital. He has not been arrested.

Police are also looking into the similarities between Saturday's break-in and two rapes that occurred in August and September, Walker said.

In those cases, the women, who lived alone, were stalked and raped by a man who broke in through the back door. Police described the suspect as 40 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 170 pounds with brown hair.

Peralez is 40, 5 feet 8 inches with brown hair. He weighs 145 pounds. Police think he entered the Prairie Road home through the back door.

"We're certainly aware that he fits (the profile)," Walker said. "But we need evidence to bring that forward. It's tough to say anything more about that."

Walker said police have yet to talk to Peralez.

The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office will decide next week whether charges will be filed against the shooter or whether the incident falls under the state's so-called "Make My Day" law, which allows residents to use deadly force to protect themselves in their homes.

On Monday, neighbors were astonished that their quiet neighborhood could be rocked by a shooting and a break-in.

"This is kind of a wake-up call," said Lori Crouch. "I'm really hoping it's the same person (who committed the rapes). I'm just hoping we find out soon. I'm just so proud of (the shooter)."

Jerry Coenen, who lives with Crouch, agreed.

"If there was ever a place where (shooting) was justified, this was it," he said.

It was the second incident since September in which a homeowner has shot an alleged intruder.

The first happened Sept. 22 in Briargate, when 63-year-old Carter Westfall shot three men who broke into his house in the 7600 block of Downywood Court at about 1 a.m.

Steven Trujillo, 18, died and Toby Rael, 19, and Thomas Bernal, 22, were arrested when they sought treatment for minor gunshot wounds at a Pueblo hospital.

The District Attorney's Office in October filed burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary charges against Rael and Bernal.

Thursday, Gerry Shisler was wounded in the arm after confronting an intruder in his Rockrimmon house.

Jeremy Petschow, 22, was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree burglary. Petschow's alleged accomplice, Brandon Warren, 26, was arrested Thursday. Petschow was advised of his rights on Monday.

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