WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — An off-duty deputy was shot at after he witnessed suspects breaking into cars in Winston-Salem, according to police.

The Winston-Salem Police Department got a call from an off-duty Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office deputy around 11:45 p.m. Monday. The deputy told police he had seen some people breaking into cars at an apartment complex. He then followed the suspects, reporting their location to police.

Around Country Club Road and Vinegar Hill Road, the suspects fired three shots at the deputy, hitting his vehicle twice.

Winston-Salem police and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office found the suspect vehicle in the area of Coliseum Drive and University Parkway, chasing them into the dead end of Grove Avenue. Three people got out of the vehicle and ran away. Police apprehended two of them; Alexis Rodriguez Mendez, 18, and a juvenile.

During the investigation, it was determined that the suspect vehicle was stolen. Two guns were seized and so were items believed to have been stolen during the earlier car break-ins.

No one was injured, police say.

Mendez was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing an officer.

“We are thankful that no one was injured during this incident,” said Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough. “Many times, people refer to a job as 8-to-5 or whatever their hours may be. But for those who take the oath to serve and protect their community, it is a way of life, 24/7/365. It does not matter what time it is or where we are or what we are doing. The oath we took to keep our community safe takes precedence. Crime has no business hours – nor do we. That’s why we protect and serve, 24/7/365.”

Additional charges are pending as the investigation is ongoing.