OAKLAND — A man suspected of trying to steal a dog at gunpoint from a 64-year-old man in West Oakland — but who ended up getting shot in a struggle for the weapon — has been charged with two felony crimes, according to authorities and court documents.
The 32-year-old Oakland man, who was wounded in the arm and leg during the Aug. 4 incident, was charged Monday with attempted second degree robbery and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.
He has pleaded not guilty and has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Aug. 16. He was being held at Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
According to police and court records, the suspect and the other man are acquaintances and were in a dispute over the ownership of a Cane Corso puppy. Authorities said the older man is the rightful owner of the dog, which is an Italian breed of mastiff.
Police said that about 11:45 a.m. Aug. 4, the suspect tried to rob the 64-year-old man of the puppy at gunpoint in the 1100 block of 14th Street in West Oakland.
Police said the intended victim instead began struggling with the man over the gun. During the struggle, the semi-automatic pistol discharged, wounding the suspect, authorities said.
After treatment at a hospital he was arrested and booked at Santa Rita Jail.
The 64-year-old man was not hurt. The gun has not been recovered, authorities said.
The puppy ran off after the shooting incident. Police said Wednesday they have not been informed if it has been found.
Source: www.mercurynews.com