SAN DIEGO (CNS/ CBS8) - Two robbery suspects were wounded and hospitalized after a wild attempted bank holdup that erupted in gunfire.
The robbery at the Wells Fargo branch near the corner of Genesee Avenue and Nobel Drive were reported about 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to San Diego police. Investigators say two robbers walked into the branch and gave the teller a demand note. That's when a security guard spotted them.
Police say the guard tackled the female suspect, then opened fire on a male suspect who tried to make a run for it. Police say the guard fired at least two shots, while bank employees and customers watched in disbelief.
Witnesses helped police track down the thief by snapping cell phone pictures of the suspect as he ran from the Wells Fargo to an awaiting getaway car.
"He was obviously running for a purpose," said witness John Ellis. "As he came up and around the corner, I passed him still looking at him and realized he was bleeding from the right eye, at which point, I reached for my phone, took a picture and dialed 911."
Police say the male suspect was hit with a bullet in his chest or back. Ellis was able to give the operator a description of the vehicle he jumped into. Officers say the man fled the area to the east and south in a bluish-green, four-door Honda Civic with a paper license plate reading "V TEK," suggesting the car was recently purchased or stolen from a dealership.
Police arrested the second suspect, Laura Shire, 41, at the bank and medics then took her to a hospital for treatment of wounds. She appeared to be bleeding from a gash to the back of her head and a cracked lip, as she was loaded into an ambulance at the crime scene.
Her unidentified male accomplice, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, was later dropped off at Sharp Memorial Hospital in the getaway car. As of late Tuesday night, police were still searching for the Honda, as well as the driver.
Officers searched for the outstanding suspect by ground and aboard a law enforcement helicopter.