A pair of would-be crooks hoping for an easy getaway found themselves running for their lives after an alleged surprise attack by the owner and his gun.

It began with a shooting call to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office early Wednesday morning.

Officials said the caller claimed he saw two men drive onto his property off of State Highway 321 and County Road 2274 in Liberty County. He said the pair got out of their tan Ford Expedition and tried to steal a welding machine, officials said.

Investigators said the owner claimed to have come out of his home with a gun and fired at the suspects, who then promptly jumped back into their Expedition and fled south on Highway 321 towards the F.M. 1960/Highway 90 area.

A short time later, at around 5 a.m., deputies responded to a report of a tan Ford Expedition parked on the side of Highway 90 near Beltway 8. The caller said a man near the vehicle had a gunshot wound.

Emergency crews responded and officials said the man was taken to the hospital for treatment.

So far, officials said no charges have been filed against either the owner or the suspects.