Hawthorne, California

From the Torrance Daily Breeze of September 5, 2007

Hawthorne worker shoots at fleeing robbers

Three armed robbers held up two employees Tuesday at a credit counseling office in Hawthorne and were shot at by one of them as they fled, according to police.

The robbers entered Credit Investigations USA in the 12900block of Hawthorne Boulevard around 12:20 p.m., according to Lt. Michael Ishii.

They used one of their handguns to pistol-whip a male employee in the back of the head, Ishii said. He was "dazed" but did not need further medical attention, Ishii added.

About $100 was taken from the business, and a female employee was robbed of her purse, cash and jewelry, Ishii said.

The three got away in a gray, late-model Chevrolet Blazer - but not before the male employee shot at them.

It is not known if any of the robbers were hit.

Police were still investigating and did not have anyone in custody by Tuesday evening, Ishii said.