Fugitive Caught at Homeless Encampment Near Saddleback Church

Jerrel Joseph Gower

A 57-year-old man wanted for trying to break into a Lake Forest home and getting into a scuffle with the residents was arrested today on charges of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon.

Jerrel Joseph Gower was arrested about 8:30 a.m. along a creek bed near Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, spokesman Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said.

Authorities received multiple tips from the public about Gower’s whereabouts, and a deputy recalled seeing him near a homeless encampment near the church, Amormino said.

Deputies set up a stakeout there this morning and arrested Gower without incident, Amormino added.

Gower’s last known address was in Mission Viejo, Amormino said.

Gower was charged Thursday with first-degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, all felonies. He also was charged with assault and battery, both misdemeanors, according to court records.

Gower also faces sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily harm. He was wanted on a $50,000 arrest warrant, Amormino said.

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