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CROWN POINT — A Gary man found a gun inside an unlocked vehicle and used it to shoot at the vehicle's owner after the owner discovered him inside the SUV, court records say.

Karriem Z. Branch, 20, ran to a nearby truck after the shooting July 27 in the 1100 block of East 45th Avenue, Lake Criminal Court records say.

Not guilty pleas to charges of attempted murder and armed robbery were entered on Branch's behalf during an initial hearing Friday, online records show. His formal appearance is set for Tuesday.

Branch was arrested July 30 by officers with the Lake County Sheriff's Department warrants division, Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said.

The victim told police he was preparing to leave for work about 5 a.m. when he realized he left his lunch inside the house.

The man left his SUV unlocked with a handgun on the floorboard, records say.

When he got out of his house, he saw Branch had gotten into the vehicle from the front passenger-side door. The man confronted Branch, but retreated after hearing Branch cock his handgun, records allege.