Robbery Suspect Shot by Bystander

A 17-year-old was shot and wounded by an unidentified bystander Tuesday night after the teen-ager allegedly robbed a Der Wienerschnitzel restaurant in Torrance.

Police have arrested the youth, whom they declined to name because of his age, on suspicion of robbery. He was reported in stable condition at County-USC Medical Center. Police have not found the man who shot him, Torrance Police Lt. Wally Murker said.

According to police, the youth, who was on foot, ordered a hot dog from the drive-in window at Der Wienerschnitzel at 2780 Pacific Coast Highway at about 11 p.m. When the clerk opened the window, the youth pulled out a handgun and demanded money. The clerk gave him about $70 and he then approached the first of two cars waiting in line.

According to police, the clerk said the teen-ager began talking with the driver, who pointed a handgun at the youth and fired several times. The youth fired back and then fell to the ground. Another witness told police that the second car, a Mustang, sped out of the parking lot with its lights out.

Police said they found the teen-ager at Bay Harbor Hospital in Harbor City. He had two bullet wounds, one in his left thigh and one in his left elbow.

The youth is also a suspect in an attempted robbery at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday at the Waltons Arco station at 2031 Palos Verdes Drive North in Lomita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.