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A security guard is being credited with stopping three masked suspects from attempting to rob a jewelry store in Fullerton Thursday.
The incident was reported as an armed robbery call in the 1500 block of South Harbor Boulevard shortly after noon.
Investigators determined that a black sedan stopped in front of the business and three people got out wearing masks and carrying what were believed to be handguns, Fullerton Police Department Sgt. Ryan O’Neil said.
A security guard at Happy Jewelers saw the suspects approaching and opened fire, causing them to flee the area, O’Neil said.
Investigators were still working to determine if the suspects returned fire during the incident.
It was also unclear if any of the suspects were struck by the gunfire or injured.
Arriving officers searched the area but could not locate the suspects, who are still being sought by authorities.
Video from the scene showed multiple bullet holes in front of the store and in the windshield of at least one vehicle.
The unidentified security guard remained at the scene and was cooperating with the investigation.
Although he couldn’t recall many situations where security guards opened fire on suspects, O’Neil praised the effort under the circumstances.
“I think that they paid their security guard to do what he did today and he thwarted three subjects from committing an armed robbery here at the jewelry store,” O’Neil said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects was asked to call the Police Department at 714-738-6700.