Stolen Garden Tools From a Baptist Church's Shed Probably Weren't Worth a Gunshot Wound to the Chest

From the perspective of a cost-benefit analysis, Jesse Silva, the alleged robber who was apparently looking to nab gardening equipment from Texas Oaks Baptist Church in South Austin, Texas, on Friday, didn't get a good return on his investment.

While the man reportedly broke into the shed in the middle of the night (the church claims that it later found that a grass trimmer, brush cuter and power blower were missing), Silva, 35, paid a hefty price: He sustained a gunshot wound to the chest while trying to flee the scene.

Silva purportedly set off an alarm that caught the attention of a security guard around 3:45 a.m. on Friday. The church official allegedly saw him exiting a storage shed and decided to take action, The American-Statesman reports.

But when the guard, who was armed, told the alleged robber to stop in his tracks, Silva apparently didn't listen.

KXAN-TV has more:

Instead of complying and turning himself over, he reportedly hopped into the car and swerved toward the man. The guard responded by firing 8-10 shots, shattering the windshield and hitting Silva in his upper left chest, according to an affidavit.

Despite being shot, the suspect drove off and, about a half-hour later, KXAN-TV reports that two unidentified individuals dropped him off at South Austin Medical Center to seek treatment. From there, he was transferred to the University Medical Center Brackenridge and subsequently released.

Authorities then arrested him on an outstanding felony warrant. It is not clear if he is responsible for the items that were reported missing from the shed.

According to the The American-Statesman, Silva remains in jail on a number of charges related to aggravated assault and burglary. He was also charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, as the SUV's owner claims that Silva did not have permission to drive his car.

Bail is set at $70,000.

(H/T: The American-Statesman)

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