Oakland, California

From InsideBayArea.com of March 5, 2006

Oakland store manager shoots a would-be robber

Suspect arrested at hospital after heist attempt on Telegraph Avenue

The manager of a Telegraph Avenue cell phone store shot an armed gunman who attempted to rob his store, then identified the man when he showed up at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center for treatment.

The manager, whom police did not identify, was in the store, Digicom Wireless, in the 5100 block of Telegraph Avenue about 6:15 p.m. Friday, when two robbers, each with a pistol, came into the store. The store owner said one robber jumped over the counter, gun in hand, and slammed the manager to the ground.

A second employee tried to run, but she fell, the owner said.

"The guy behind the counter grabbed her arm and put a gun to her head," he said.

At that point, the manager grabbed his own handgun and shot the robber in the stomach, then shot at the second robber as well. The manager was not injured.

Both suspects fled the store. Police later were notified that a wounded man matching one of the suspects' descriptions had been dropped off at Summit Medical Center.

The manager was taken to the hospital, where he identified the wounded man as one of the robbers. The man was arrested on suspicion of robbery.

The store owner, who asked that his name not be used, said they keep a gun on the premises at all times.

"Yes, we're armed at this store," he said. "This is Oakland."