Crime & Safety

Bloodshot Gunman Flees Liquor Store After Being Confronted by Owner

Man with "submachine gun" type weapon ran from Rancho San Diego store without taking items.

Updated at 6:40 p.m. Oct. 20, 2012

A man with bloodshot eyes who appeared to be holding a “submachine gun” type weapon demanded cash Saturday at a liquor store in an unincorporated area south of La Mesa, but ran off empty-handed, sheriff’s officials said.

The suspect brandished the firearm and demanded money from the owner of The Welldeck Liquor and Deli at 3773 Avocado Blvd. near Calle Verde Drive shortly after 11 a.m., according to sheriff's Lt. Jeff Maxin.

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The address is in unincorporated La Mesa, but is in the Rancho San Diego community.

The owner did not immediately hand over any money and the man ran from the business, Maxin said. He was last seen running west on Avocado Boulevard.

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The would-be robber was wearing dark colored clothing and concealed his face during the incident, Maxin said.

The man was possibly Hispanic with bloodshot eyes and carrying an orange backpack, according to sherff’s Sgt. Victor Rivera.

Rivera said witnesses described the weapon as a “submachine gun” type weapon.

The man fled on foot without any property loss to the store after being verbally confronted by a store employee. Sheriff's patrol units, the ASTREA helicopter, and K-9 units responded and checked the area, but couldn’t find the man.

—City News Service contributed to this report.


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