Suspect Shot, 2 Arrested in Jewelry Store Heist : Crime: Three men hold up a Stanton shop and flee. A sheriff’s officer gives chase and wounds one in a gunfight.

A man was shot by an off-duty sheriff’s detective and two others were arrested Thursday after a jewelry store was robbed at gunpoint and the bandits led the detectives on a chase, authorities said.

Witnesses described chaos on Bellflower Boulevard near the San Diego Freeway as a wounded man with a gun hobbled down the street as police came from all directions and a helicopter whirled above.

“People were running all over the place, screaming for the police,” said Evan Guyer, who followed the chase.

At 5:53 p.m., a minivan pulled up to Diamonds Unlimited at 12041 Beach Blvd. and two men got out, entered the store and asked to see a diamond ring, Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Larry Richey said.

“When the display case is opened, one suspect pulls a handgun and both suspects jump the counter,” Richey related.

The robbers forced the clerk to the floor while they helped themselves to the display case full of gold jewelry and diamonds worth $50,000 to $60,000, Richey said. They also kicked the clerk and beat him with an unknown object, the lieutenant said.

As the two men left the store, an off-duty Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department detective got into his own van and chased them, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Sgt. Larry Lincoln said.

The chase ended at Bellflower Boulevard, where two of the men were arrested, while a third man led authorities on a foot chase. Witnesses said the officers and the suspect traded shots.

When the men reached a residential driveway, the deputy held the wounded robber at gunpoint, Guyer said.