CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 28-year-old East Cleveland firefighter who was shot over the weekend remained in critical condition Monday in Huron Hospital.

John Alexander was shot in the back about 10 a.m. Saturday outside his home on Catalpa Road in Cleveland after he confronted three men leaving his house with stolen items.

Three suspects -- Antonio Garner, Raymond Moss and Derrick Johnson Jr., all 21-year-old Cleveland residents -- were charged Monday with aggravated burglary and felonious assault.

Alexander's brother, who also lives in the house, told officers he heard noises downstairs and went to investigate, a police spokesman said.

The brother said he saw a man with a gun standing in the house, then the armed man and two others left carrying things from the home.

Alexander was just getting home from work and saw the suspects leave his yard and get into a red Pontiac Grand Prix. He reached into the car and tried to pull the keys out of the ignition, police said.

The suspect in the back seat shot Alexander and the trio drove away.

Patrol officers searched the area and spotted a red car matching the description at St. Clair Avenue and Nottingham Road. The three men were arrested. Officers said they found a semi-automatic pistol in the car.

East Cleveland fire officials declined to comment. Alexander's family could not be reached at the hospital.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: djmiller@plaind.com, 216-999-4852