New Mexico store owner sleeping inside business to prevent crime shoots, kills burglar tunneling through wall

A would-be burglar tunneling into a smoke shop was shot dead by the store's owner, who had taken to sleeping in the store to prevent break-ins, police said.

Albuquerque Police Department officers responded to a shooting call Saturday at around 4:30 a.m. and found the deceased burglar, KRQE News reported.

The owner of the store told KOB 4 News that there had been a previous break-in attempt before the store had even officially opened for business.

The owner said he was woken by a strange sound and found that the burglar had tunneled through the wall and began waving a large hammer and a chisel causing the owner to fear for his life, the outlet said. 

ARIZONA MAN ASSAULTS STEPFATHER, WHO FATALLY SHOOTS BACK IN SELF-DEFENSE: SHERIFF'S OFFICE

According to the owner, he warned the burglar to leave the premises, or he would shoot, but h...