Updated at 11:31 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2001

Store owner hurt in robbery

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police officers today search for shell casings in the grass next to the Stadium Mall sign in Halawa following a robbery at the Alpha Video store. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

A video store owner suffered minor injuries today after he tried to stop two armed robbers who stole money from him and fired shots outside a Halawa shopping center.

Police said the robbery occurred at about 8:45 a.m. at Alpha Video at Stadium Mall, 4510 Salt Lake Blvd., when two robbers stole a bag of cash from the 35-year-old store owner and fled.

Police said the owner chased the robbers, grabbed the slower one and struggled with him near the mall's Salt Lake Boulevard entrance. The second robber pulled a gun and fired in the air, police said.

"I was trying to help the guy," said Jesus Uganiza, 25, a Goodyear Auto Service Center employee, who saw the robbers run past. "I ran to chase the guys, too. But all of a sudden, I heard my friend yell, 'gun!' Then I ran back."