A suspected burglar was shot Friday morning by a sheriff's deputy in Galt, law enforcement officials said.
The suspect, shot twice, was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries. A sheriff's spokesman said the deputy was forced to shoot because the man was running in the direction of another officer with what the deputy believed was a hammer in his hand.
About 2 a.m., Sacramento County sheriff's deputies were called to assist Galt police on a burglary alarm call at It's a Grind coffeehouse on Twin Cities Road, just off Highway 99.
Three deputies responded.
The last deputy who responded saw someone running away from the coffee shop.
The first two officers noticed that a car was idling and backed up to the business. The front door to the business was smashed.
Deputies thought they saw someone moving around inside the shop. Cautiously, the two deputies entered the building to see a man run from behind the counter.
The deputies shouted for the man to stop and also commanded him to "Show us your hands."
One deputy believed that the suspect was armed with a hammer as he ran toward the front door where the deputy's fellow officer was standing.
"He is yelling, 'Stop, show us your hands,' " said Deputy Jason Ramos, Sheriff's Department spokesman. "The suspect is still running and the officer thinks he has a hammer in his hand. He shoots at the suspect, striking him twice."
A hammer later was recovered from the scene, authorities said.
After being hit by gunfire once in the upper body and once in the lower body, the suspected burglar, whom deputies are not identifying, ran out of the shop. The deputies chased him and detained him just outside the business.
He was transported to a hospital, where he underwent surgery. His wounds are possibly life-threatening, Ramos said.
About 3:15 a.m. a second suspect was found hiding nearby beneath a recreational vehicle.
George Jett, 22, was taken to the hospital with bite wounds inflicted by a police dog. He was later arrested on suspicion of burglary, resisting arrest and violation of probation.
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Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079. Bee staff writer Cathy Locke contributed to this report.
• Read more articles by Bill Lindelofand Kim Minugh
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