By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point man is lucky he wasn’t shot after allegedly trying to force his way into the wrong house while intoxicated.

Forrest Bugaj, 24, is facing charges of criminal trespassing and criminal damage to property after police say he mistook a home on the 700 block of Second St. for his own Bukolt Ave. residence.

According to police records, Bugaj began “pounding” on the front door of the home in the early morning hours of Jan. 28, yelling expletives he be let inside. He also is accused of breaking a window of the house in an attempt to gain entry.

An occupant of the home called 911 at 3:58 AM, then armed himself, believing Bugaj was an intruder.

“The occupant was so concerned he armed himself as he waited for officers to arrive,” said Assistant Police Chief Tom Zenner. “Fortunately our officers arrived before he felt he needed to defend himself.”

Bugaj was taken into custody without incident. He has since been released from the Portage Co. Jail; his court date is pending.

“Luckily no one was injured; one can only assume what may have happened if he’d gained entry,” Zenner added. “This could have been a very different story.”