Guard Hurt in Shootout With Robbers

A security guard was wounded during an apparent botched robbery attempt Tuesday night at a Fashion Island jewelry store, Newport Beach police said.

The unidentified guard was airlifted to a local hospital in serious condition. The extent of his injuries was not immediately available. No other injuries were reported.

Sgt. Steve Shulman, a spokesman for the Newport Beach Police Department, said three men in dark trench coats and ski masks walked to the front door of Traditional Jewelers at 7:25 p.m., shortly before closing. Two armed guards inside the store, which occupies a large area at the center of the mall, approached the front door, apparently to investigate, police said.

It was unclear who opened fire first, but a volley of shots was exchanged, Shulman said, the large glass door shattering in the gunfire. According to witnesses and shell casings, the gunmen used assault rifles, Shulman said. Police did not know how many rounds were fired.

One of the guards was hit once or twice, Shulman said. Seconds after the shots were fired, the three gunmen ran to a nearby parking lot and left in a dark BMW, he said.

Police said there were customers in the store during the shooting, along with employees, but could not say how many.

Detectives sealed off a large area of the mall during the investigation, but the mall remained open until regular closing time at 9 p.m.

Shopper Christine Mandilakis of Newport Beach, who was two doors down from the jewelry store when the incident occurred, said she heard “a large crash and bang, like firecrackers. We thought something had been dropped. It didn’t cross my mind that it was caused by shots.”