A burglar who broke into a church Friday night was shot by an armed caretaker who was staying in the edifice because of prior break-ins.

The suspect was in surgery at Miami Valley Hospital and was expected to survive, Dayton Lt. Donald Burden told News Center 7.

The man who fired the shotgun was taken in for questioning, Burden said at 11:30 p.m. Police did not release his name.

The shooting occurred in the basement of the Santa Clara Apostolic Temple, 60 Santa Clara Ave., at Richmond Avenue, shortly after 10 p.m., Burden said.

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect broke in through the back side of the building, off an alley. There was a gentleman staying inside the building because of prior problems there with break-ins during which copper and other items had been taken, Burden said.

“He was staying in the church to keep an eye on it,” Burden said of the caretaker. “He was lying in the basement when he heard the window breaking.”

The caretaker fired once, striking the suspect “generally, center body,” in the stomach area, Burden said.

Police are investigating whether the suspect was armed or made any threats toward the caretaker, Burden said.