Officials with the Kern County Sheriff Office said a man held a suspect at gunpoint in a burglary attempt that took place in Wofford Heights, Thursday morning.
KCSO official Ray Pruitt said that this happened at around 9:15 am on the 200 block of Hiem Lane.
KCSO deputies spoke to the homeowner, Craig Manning. Manning reported he had arrived home to finish securing his residence from a previous burglary.
As he approached his front door, a suspect later identified as 22 year old Lawrence Frenes, opened the door. Manning then brandished a handgun at Frenes, ordered him out of the home, and had a female friend call 9-1-1.
Manning continued detaining Frenes at gunpoint while deputies responded.
Manning, who is 71 years old, indicated Frenes approached him at one point with his hands in his pockets and got within arm’s reach.
Manning became scared for his safety and fired one warning shot into the air, causing Frenes to back up. Frenes approached him a second time, and Manning, believing Frenes may assault him, fired a second warning shot into the air. Frenes then began running down a hill side away from the property.
Deputies began searching for Frenes. Several witnesses indicated they observed Frenes running with a firearm in his hand.
Deputies, with assistance from CHP units and US Forest Service units, set a perimeter in the area.
Frenes was eventually found hiding on property in the 1700 block of Sierra Vista, about ¼ mile away.
Frenes attempted to flee on foot but was caught and taken into custody without further incident.
Frenes was in possession of two hypodermic syringes. Deputies later recovered a loaded pistol grip crossbow in a yard Frenes had run through.
Witnesses identified it as the weapon Frenes had been in possession of.
Frenes was arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Central Receiving Facility.
