The Pilot

Sheriff’s deputies who had staked out a Lakewood gift shop overnight after a tip from an informant shot and wounded two men apparently trying to break in, authorities said. The stakeout team caught Michael Weeks, 36, and Michael Tedrow, 34, both of Long Beach, at the rear service entrance of Spencer’s Gift Shop in the Lakewood Center Mall, Deputy Carl Deeley said. Two deputies fired one round each from their shotguns at the men when, instead of obeying orders to “freeze,” Weeks tried to reach for a gun that protruded from the rear of the waistband of his trousers and Tedrow revealed a shiny object in his hand. Deputies later found that Weeks was carrying a .177-caliber pellet gun, a replica of a Colt Python .357 Magnum. Tedrow was holding a roll of duct tape, Deeley said. Deputies had staked out the store for three days after an informant told investigators that the shop was going to be robbed, Deeley said. Weeks suffered legs wounds in the shooting and Tedrow was shot in the hip. Both were hospitalized in satisfactory condition. They will face charges of conspiracy to commit a robbery, Deeley said.