A homeowner, who had $500,000 in cash and two pounds of cocaine, shot a gunman who forced entry into his residence and robbed him in Beach Park Thursday evening.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:05 p.m. Thursday to the 38200 block of Sheridan Road in Beach Park for a home invasion call.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found a 67-year-old victim with serious wounds to the face and body, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for his injuries and has since been released.
The victim reported he was at his home when a former neighbor, later identified as Brian Wisch, 47, who has no permanent address, broke into his home, Covelli said.
Covelli said Wisch forced entry through a glass storm door and was armed with a firearm.
Wisch demanded money and stole approximately $700 from the victim, prosecutors said.
The victim reported that Wisch began striking him with his pistol in the face and body before fleeing.
Sheriff’s deputies searched the area for Wisch but were unable to locate him.
Detectives located Wisch at a business in the 16400 block of Russell Road in Wadsworth on Friday.
They learned he had a gunshot wound to the stomach, Covelli said. He was transported to an area hospital, treated and released.
Detectives learned at that time that Wisch was shot by the victim during the home invasion, Covelli said. The victim had retrieved his own firearm and shot Wisch during the incident.
Wisch began fighting the victim after being shot and wrestled the victim’s firearm away from the victim, which he then used to strike the victim several times in the face and body, Covelli said.
Wisch stole the victim’s firearm when he fled, prosecutors said. Both firearms involved were recovered.
Sheriff’s detectives additionally learned through the investigation that the victim was selling drugs out of his residence.
They obtained a search warrant and recovered nearly two pounds of cocaine and approximately $500,000 in cash, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges against Wisch for three counts of home invasion, two counts of armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Drug-related charges against the homeowner are likely in the future.
“This case highlights the exceptional work of our Criminal Investigations Division,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“Through focused, diligent investigative efforts, our investigators quickly identified the suspect and uncovered critical evidence that revealed a much more complex situation, including the recovery of both firearms used in the incident, and a significant amount of illegal drugs and currency,” Idleburg said.
Wisch remains held in the Lake County Jail after appearing in First Appearance Court on Saturday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Wisch in custody pending trial and a detention hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon.