MEMPHIS, Tenn. –  Memphis police say a burglar was beaten after he was caught in the act stealing from cars in one Central Gardens neighborhood.

Chad Junanye Turner is accused of breaking into at least two vehicles outside an apartment complex in the 200 block of Barksdale early Saturday morning.

A woman who lives at the complex saw a man inside her vehicle and told her boyfriend who was visiting.  The boyfriend, who didn’t want to be identified, said he went outside and saw the burglar rummaging through a neighbor’s car.

“I said man he is bold and I got to the car and he looked at me and we looked at each other and I kind of had him pinned between the car door and the car,” said James.

James said when the burglar lunged at him he fired his gun and then threw the burglar to the ground and hit him on the head.

“It could have been worse. I could have killed him.   Anyone could have come out and killed him, you know? ”

Police say they found a number of items in Chad Turner’s possession.  James said he had jewelry, cell phones and phone charges inside the backpack he was carrying.

“He was on a roll,” said James.

Turner was transported to the hospital by ambulance, but is now locked in jail and charged with auto burglary and assault.