Four Escape After Hiding from Gunman in Supermarket
A Long Beach supermarket employee and three customers hid out from at least one suspected gunman for two hours Saturday night following a failed robbery attempt.
A police SWAT team surrounded the Vons market on Ocean Boulevard in Belmont Shore and a negotiator tried unsuccessfully to make contact with one or two suspects believed to be still inside as of 11:30 p.m., said Long Beach police spokesman Bob Anderson.
Four men walked into the store about 8:20 p.m. apparently intending to rob it, Anderson said. Two of them were arrested quickly inside the store when police responded to a silent alarm.
About 20 people were in the store when the gunmen entered. All were able to get out, except for three customers who hid in a meat locker and an employee who hid in the basement.
All four managed to sneak out of the store unharmed at about 10:30 p.m. Anderson said the four, who were not identified, were not held as hostages.
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