NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- A woman battling cancer is missing after a man invaded a New Britain home and shot the homeowner on Sunday, police said. Authorities later arrested the man after a brief chase into Watertown.

New Britain police said an armed man unknown to the victims made his way into a house along Woodhaven Drive near Slater Road just before 10 a.m. Police said the man shot the homeowner before abducting her guest, Mary Ellen Welsh, 62, of New Britain. According to police, Welsh has been undergoing treatments for cancer.

More: Eyewitness News Pictures

"A black male came in unannounced and uninvited and at some point shot the victim," New Britain police Sgt. Darren Pearson said. "The victim was able to get out of the house and call 911 from a neighbor."

The man abducted Welsh and forced her into her own vehicle, a Honda Passport, after the alleged shooting, police said.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Ray Daudani reported that police arrested a man at about 2:30 p.m. after a chase that began in Plymouth, led through Thomaston and ended in Watertown -- more than 20 miles from the home in New Britain. Police did not find Welsh inside the vehicle.

Watertown police were called and positioned for backup, helping to take Williams into custody. The vehicle flipped over in the 900 block of Main Street in Watertown, where state police arrested the man -- later identified by New Britain police as Leslie Williams, 31 -- and charged him with several motor vehicle violations, including being in possession of the Welsh's minivan.

"He didn't care, he didn't have any concern for others and just went flying by," said Eddie Crocco, a witness in Watertown. "I was just a little bit in awe and shock. I'm just glad they got him off the road."

There was no immediate sign of Welsh immediately after the crash or in the hours thereafter. State and local police continued searching for Walsh late into the evening from on the ground and in the air.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Erika Arias reported the stolen minivan sat broken and smashed on French Street in Watertown when an Eyewitness News camera arrived at the scene.

Williams was transported to New Britain, where police said he will face much more serious charges.

Heavy Police Presence Responds To Home Invasion

Eyewitness News pictures recorded from the scene showed a heavy police presence at the scene on Woodhaven Drive in New Britain throughout the day and night as officers sealed with crime tape an area around the house.

"SWAT guys were coming, flying across and she didn't know what the heck was going on," said Kevin Kelsey, a neighbor.

"All I see is the whole police department in front of my house," said Chanthana Acosta, a neighbor.

Those who knew the victims told Eyewitness News that the two were good friends, saying both women were the nicest women you'd ever meet.

"They were very, very good friends. Mary Ellen would come over there for coffee every morning. She was here always every day," said Cynthia Manchak, a friend who went with both women to the Bushnell on Saturday night for a show.

The shooting victim was transported to an area hospital, where she was last listed in serious condition. Daudani reported that she has spoken with police and is expected to survive.

"I just can't believe something like that could happen," said Solenge Thivault, of New Britain. "It's a very scary feeling."

Anyone with information should call the New Stay with Eyewitness News for the breaking details on this story.Britain Police Department at 860-826-3000 or 860-826-3065.