Two Liquor Store Robbers Flee After Owner Fires Two Shots

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Two men who robbed a liquor store fled after one of the owners stepped out of a rear office and fired two shots at the assailants, authorities said Sunday.

The robbers entered Low’s Liquors in the 14900 block of Springdale Street about 9 p.m. Saturday and “immediately jumped over the counter,” Police Sgt. Brian Tidrick said.

One of the men pointed a gun at a store owner, Chong Choi, 56, and ordered him to open the cash register, Tidrick said. Choi, who co-owns the business with his wife, complied.

The assailants took some cash and again threatened Choi with the handgun, police said.

Choi’s 46-year-old wife, Sun Choi, who had been in a back room, came out and opened fire at the robbers, Tidrick said. The thieves fled in their foreign, beige or white compact car and headed north on Springdale Street.

Police described the suspects as black males, one of whom is in his 20s, 5 feet, 9 inches to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, with a stocky build and wearing a brown, long-sleeve pullover shirt and baseball cap.

The second suspect was described as 5 feet 7, with a medium build and wearing a black or navy hooded sweatshirt pulled down to cover his face.