LOCAL : 3 Arrested in Van Nuys Liquor Store Holdup, Shooting of One

A Van Nuys liquor store clerk shot and wounded a man who attempted to rob him, Los Angeles police said today. The suspect fled but was later arrested along with two alleged accomplices when paramedics were called to treat him.

The shooting occurred at Allan’s liquor store in the 16000 block of Vanowen Street about 9:20 p.m. Monday, Sgt. Joe Brazas said.

Hubert Higgins, 24, of the Van Nuys area was shot once in the chest during the attempted robbery, Brazas said. Details of the robbery attempt and whether Higgins was armed were not released. The clerk, one of two working in the store at the time, was not identified.

After the shooting, Higgins ran from the store to a car driven by his wife, Melody Higgins, and carrying a passenger, Carl McNeil, both 23, police said. The car drove to the nearby intersection of Victory Boulevard and Haskell Avenue, where one of the occupants called paramedics from a pay phone. After paramedics determined that Hubert Higgins had a gunshot wound, police were called and all three people in the car were arrested.

Higgins was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center where he was listed in satisfactory condition.