A tire thief struck twice in two days at a Salem home, police say. On his third visit, the homeowner, Bradley Russell, was waiting with a shotgun.

Around 5:15 p.m. Monday Russell found the lock to his gate had been cut. He told the Marion County Sheriff's Office that four all-terrain vehicle tires had been taken from outside his Sandringham Drive Northeast home.

Russell, the owner of a trucking company, said the wheels were outside his shop when they were stolen.

"I felt violated, like I had no way of keeping (the thief) from coming and going," he said. "What's to stop them from coming into my shop or the house?"

Around 4 the next morning, Russell said he heard a car door slam while he was getting ready for work. When he went outside, he found the gate lock had been cut again, and a burgundy, 2000s model Toyota Forerunner was pulling out of the driveway and a wheel from his Ford pickup truck was missing.

"There were three wheels left, and I told Brad to get his gun and not to go to work because I knew (the thief) was coming back," said Tina Russell, Brad Russell's wife.

Tina Russell was apparently right. Police said Bradley Russell saw the same Forerunner driving past about 15 minutes later.

He stopped into the street, pointed the shotgun at the vehicle and yelled for the driver to stop. Instead, the driver tried to go around Bradley Russell, and the vehicle struck him in the knee.

Bradley Russell fired one shot at the Forerunner, hitting the rear and driver's side, the Sheriff's Office said.

Marion County Sheriff's Sgt. Chris Baldridge said using deadly force is permitted to prevent life-threatening injury, and Brad Russell will not face charges.

However, "We do want folks to call us first and let us be the one to put ourselves in harm's way," Baldridge said. "Don't put yourself in harm's way if you don't have to."

The Forerunner, also described as having a "very bright," white LED license plate light, continued on its way. The Marion County Sheriff's Office asks that witnesses or people who recognize the vehicle, which now has a broken rear glass window and driver's side tail light, call 503-588-5032.

-- Elliot Njus and Kasia Hall