Owner Wounds Suspect to Foil Store Robbery

The owner of a Reseda lock and safe store shot and wounded an armed robber Thursday morning and kept a second suspect at bay after a shootout in the store, police said.

Authorities said two men entered A&A; Lock and Safe Co., 18512 Sherman Way, through a back door about 9:30 a.m. and asked store owner Dennis Smith to make a key for them.

One of the suspects, Miguel Marquez, 22, of Pico Rivera, then pulled a .25-caliber handgun and took money from the cash register and a ring from Jean Smith, the owner’s 80-year-old mother, police said.

As the suspects headed for the door, Dennis Smith drew a gun from behind the counter and ordered the suspects to stop. When one of the men confronted him, Smith told police he opened fire.

Marquez fired back but was shot once in the shoulder and taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment, police said. He was later transferred to the medical facility at Los Angeles County Jail, where he is in good condition, police said.

The other suspect, Victor Luna, 21, also of Pico Rivera, was booked for armed robbery at the Devonshire Police Station. He was not injured but was held at gunpoint by Smith until police arrived.

Police Lt. George Rock said Smith fired four shots and Marquez fired back twice, but failed to hit anyone. Police said Marquez and Luna were being held on suspicion of armed robbery, and no charges would be filed against Smith.