Store owner shoots armed robber
SAN DIEGO — Police say a store owner shot an armed robber who officers are now questioning in connection with three other robberies reported Sunday.
San Diego police said a man walked into La Michoacana, a market and taco shop at 1702 Vesta Street, with a gun around 10:40 a.m. and demanded money from two cash registers. The store owner, a 40-year-old man, handed over the money then grabbed his own gun as the suspect walked away.
The store owner “challenged the suspect” then shot him twice when the suspect turned back toward him, according to police. The armed robbery suspect was shot in the stomach and wrist. He was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.
The first robbery reported Sunday happened shortly before 7:30 a.m. Police said the victim had just gotten money out of an ATM when a gunman walked up near East 9th Street and C Avenue and stole the cash. Just over an hour later, the Texas Liquor store on Harbison Avenue was robbed. Police say a man held the clerk at gunpoint.
National City police said they got a third report of a robbery at the Swap Meet. Officers got a license plate number for the suspect’s vehicle. The call about the shooting at the taco shop came in as they were relaying the information to surrounding agencies.
Officers are now working to learn if the man who was shot is behind the other robberies. Police have not provided information about any other possible suspects.
Melbourne resident opens fire during attempted home invasion
MELBOURNE, Fla. – Melbourne police said a resident in fear for his safety scared off two men, at least one of whom had a gun, early Wednesday because he believed they were going to break into his home.
Police responded to a home on White Cap Way at 5:51 a.m. for reports of an attempted home invasion robbery with shots fired. Officers were told by the residents they had observed a suspicious vehicle parked outside of their home and two men with a firearm got out and began to approach the house.
Out of fear, one of the residents armed himself and opened the front door, shooting several rounds into the ground and in the direction of the vehicle, he told police. The unknown men then drove away, officials said.
Police do not believe either of the men were shot during the incident and no homes were stuck.