Gary man charged with pipe wrench beating during break-in

A Gary man beat another man over the head with a pipe wrench while trying to break into a home earlier this week, according to police.

Bobby Lee Johnson, 47, was denied entry to the home in the 1100 block of South Hamilton Street on Wednesday, so he broke out a window to reach in and unlock the door, Gary police said.

When the resident tried to prevent him from getting in, Johnson hit him twice with the wrench and he had to be taken to a hospital in serious condition, police said.

Johnson faces two felony counts of battery and one of attempted residential entry, police said.