Off-duty L.A. County sheriff's deputy fires at suspect in robbery attempt in Westminster

An off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy fired shots at a suspect who brandished a gun during an attempted robbery this morning at an ATM in Westminster, police said.

The suspect escaped, police said, and it was unclear whether he was hit by any of the three shots that the deputy fired from his handgun. 

The incident occurred at 6:48 a.m. after the deputy took out cash from the ATM at a Chase Bank at 14011 Beach Boulevard.

"As he's walking away, he was confronted by the lone gunman," said Officer Cameron Knauerhaze of the Westminster Police Department.

He said the suspect ran backwards, facing the deputy as he fired his gun. Police arrived less than two minutes after the shooting was reported and began searching the area. Officers found a replica metal handgun in a nearby alley and a stolen vehicle with its engine running in an adjacent parking lot, police said.

The suspect is described as Latino, about 165 pounds, 5 foot 6 to 5 foot 8, with short unkempt hair and a mustache. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Westminster Police Department detectives at (714) 898-3315, Ext: 336.

--Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[bigpicture]

outstanding...