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Restaurant employee shoots would-be robbers, officials say

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Two men were arrested Saturday on suspicion of trying to rob an Italian restaurant in northern San Diego County at gunpoint -- a robbery thwarted, authorities said, when an employee of the restaurant fired eight shots at the suspects, hitting both.

The two suspects were first interviewed by sheriff’s deputies at an emergency room where they sought treatment for their wounds.

The explanation offered by the two that they’d been shot while walking near an Oceanside park seemed suspicious, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

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The robbery attempt at Uncle Tony’s Italian Cuisine in Vista occurred at about 9:30 p.m. Friday, authorities said. The two suspects went to Tri-City Medical Center shortly after midnight.

Their wounds, although not life-threatening, “were consistent with the descriptions given by the restaurant employee,” according to sheriff’s Sgt. D. Eglin.

The two men, whose names were not released, were booked into county jail on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon and probation violation.

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Twitter: @LATsandiego

tony.perry@latimes.com

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