TOLLAND, Connecticut - A 45-year-old Southbridge man who apparently just missed being shot by a homeowner during an attempted break-in earlier this month was returned to Connecticut Friday to face burglary charges, according to Connecticut State Police.

Dale Laliberte of Cohasse Street, Southbridge is charged with burglary in the 3rd degree, larceny in the 3rd degree, and first-degree criminal mischief. The charges are related to a Dec. 12 incident in Tolland where a homeowner come home that night and interrupted a break-in, police said.

The homeowner told police he found a strange car in his driveway. The woman in the passenger seat said they were lost and the driver of the car had gone to a neighboring house to ask for directions.

While he was talking to her, he heard footsteps behind him, and turning around saw a middle-aged man with an object in his hands running at him. The homeowner was armed with a handgun, and in fear for his safety, he drew his weapon and fired at least one shot at the stranger, police said.

The man got into his truck and fled the scene.

Police found no evidence at the scene that the man had been hit by gunfire. The homeowner, whose name was not disclosed, was in legal possession of the gun and was not charged, police said.

An investigation of the house by police found that the rear sliding-glass door had been kicked in. Police did not say if anything had been taken.

An investigation by Connecticut State Police led to the location of the truck and that Laliberte was the driver. Connecticut police obtained a fugitive from justice warrant against Laliberte, and he was arrested in Southbridge by Southbridge police.

Laliberte was extradited on Friday from Massachusetts to Connecticut to stand charges. He was being held in lieu of $250,000 and is due to be arraigned in Rockville District Court on Tuesday.