A man who lives northeast of Washougal was injured Tuesday night when he confronted a burglar and struggled with the masked, armed man and at least two other suspects, according to the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies are asking for help in investigating the home burglary because the suspects have not been located.
The sheriff’s office received a call shortly after 9 p.m. from a neighbor who reported a disturbance at a home on Highland Road, north of Washougal River State Park, just outside the boundary for Clark County.
The neighbor told deputies they could hear an engine revving, people screaming and then gunshots, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Then, a second 911 call came in from Edward Matheson, 44, who reported that he interrupted a burglary at his home, according to the news release. Deputies and medics responded to his residence.
“The initial information received was Matheson was upstairs in his residence watching TV, and later came down to use his computer. He noticed his computer missing and walked outside, only to be confronted by an armed, masked man,” the news release says.
The men started struggling, and the masked man was joined by at least two other suspects, deputies said. Matheson told investigators he fired a shotgun toward the burglars as they fled in a newer, dark-colored Toyota Tacoma or Tundra pickup. He was unsure if he struck the vehicle.
Deputies searched the area but were unable to find anyone.
Matheson injured his arm and head, and he was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The sheriff’s office is continuing to investigate what happened and asked anyone with information to call 509-427-9490.
