FAIRBANKS — Two men who allegedly attempted to burglarize a Fairbanks home of marijuana were instead beaten by the home’s residents and arrested by police.

Wesley Scott Cruikshank, 21, of Fairbanks, and Benjamin Anthony Valles, 19, of North Pole, have each been charged with one count of first-degree burglary, a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Valles also has been charged with third-degree felony assault.

Fairbanks police were called to 516 Craig St. just before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report that two men had broken into the home and were fighting with the residents. Valles allegedly brandished a handgun, and Cruikshank had a metal pry bar with him, according to a criminal complaint filed in court.

One of the residents told police that Valles pointed the gun at his head and demanded money. The gun was found to be a BB gun, Fairbanks police Lt. Tara Tippett said.

Cruikshank and Valles then attempted to pull one of the men out of the home and a fight ensued between them and three other men. When police arrived, Cruikshank and Valles were being restrained on the floor. Cruikshank was treated and released at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for minor injuries, Tippett said.

None of the residents face assault charges.

“They have the right to defend themselves and their own property, and because they were in their own property, they had no duty to retreat,” Tippett said.

Valles, who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest, told police that he and Cruikshank went to the home to steal four marijuana plants someone told them were being kept there, according to the complaint.

Police smelled marijuana in the home but did not locate any plants.

The men living in the Craig Street home told Fairbanks police that they had no prior relationship with Cruikshank or Valles. The incident does not appear to be gang-related, Tippett said.

Cruikshank has no prior felony record. Valles has no prior criminal history.

Contact staff writer Chris Freiberg at 459-7545.