CLEVELAND — A spokesperson for the Cleveland Police Department tells Fox 8 News that a homeowner shot a would-be burglar in the chest on the city’s east side.

Authorities say that the suspect was attempting to break into a Clement Avenue house near East 74th Street at approximately 11:30 p.m. Thursday. That’s when, according to officers, the homeowner fired at the suspect, wounding him in the torso.

The police report described the suspect as a juvenile offender.

The 78-year-old homeowner told officers that he was scared when he heard the suspect trying to pry open a door, so he fired a single shot from his .32-caliber gun in the offender’s general direction.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a handgun, a pry bar and a headscarf next to the wounded suspect, who was also wearing a holster. In addition, they noticed heavy door damage and saw that a screen had been cut for easier access.

The offender was transported to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he was taken into surgery.

Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for more information on this story as it becomes available.