Cops shoot at Hawthorne store robbers

HAWTHORNE, Calif. Two officers responded to a takeover robbery in progress at the store at Rosecrans and Ocean Gate avenues about 8:50 p.m. Upon arrival, they were confronted by a group of six male suspects, triggering the officers to open fire, Hawthorne police Sgt. Joel Romero said.

Three bandits then fled, but police took the trio into custody a few blocks away from the location, Romero said.

Originally, the three other suspects were believed to have been wounded by the gunfire inside the store, but they were not hit, he said. They were also detained by police, Romero said.

Romero said it was unclear whether the suspects returned fire, but no officers, employees or customers were hurt.

During the attempted holdup, the robbers held the store's employees in a back room, Romero said.

The names of those in custody were not immediately released.

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