Charges expected against felon who allegedly attacked elderly couple
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Felony charges are expected to be filed tomorrow against a parolee who allegedly broke into a Hemet home and attacked two seniors, both of whom shot the ex-con in self-defense.
Dechawn Lewis Wallace, 27, of Moreno Valley was arrested last Tuesday following the alleged break-in on State Street, near the Ramona Bowl.
According to Hemet Police Lt. Eddie Pust, at just after midnight Wallace forced his way into a mobile home in the 1700 block of State Street, occupied by a senior and his wife, neither of whom were identified.
The couple confronted the intruder, who became physically aggressive, striking both of the victims, Pust said. The man and his wife both armed themselves with guns and opened fire on Wallace, who was hit at least twice and ran out of the home. The victims suffered minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.
Pust said patrol officers swarmed the area but could not locate the suspect. However, about an hour later, police were informed that a man fitting the alleged burglar’s description had checked into the emergency room at Riverside University Medical Center, seeking treatment for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to the lieutenant.
He said detectives went to the hospital and spoke with the convicted felon, who was placed under 24-hour guard in the detention ward of the medical center.
Wallace was positively identified by the victims, and on Thursday, after doctors cleared him to be released from the hospital, he was booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of home invasion, elder abuse, first-degree burglary and parole violations. He’s being held without bail and is tentatively slated to make an initial court appearance Tuesday at the Banning Justice Center.
According to court records, Wallace has prior convictions in Riverside County for burglary and receiving stolen property.
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