Santa Monica shoe store owner ambushed by attempted robbers — but he ends the threat with his gun, police say

A Santa Monica store owner defended his boutique shoe business and his life from two men who were allegedly trying to rob him, according to California police.

The Santa Monica Police Department said police were called to the "Sole & Laces" store on the famed Third Street Promenade at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday over the incident, according to the Los Angeles Times.

'He took care of things and defended himself and his store, and his life, and his family by using his gun.'

John Alle, the manager of the property, said that the shoe store owner was carrying out a sale with a customer after regular business hours when the attempted robbery began.

A second man, who allegedly knew the customer involved in the sale, barged into the store through the back door and used a "chemical irritant" to try to disable the owner.

After a scuffle between the two, the owner retrieved his gun and shot the alleged robber.

The wounded assailant later died from his injuries at a local hospital, according to police. The store owner had a legal permit to carry the gun.

Police also arrested Karen Melikyan, the customer who had arranged the meeting with the owner, on suspicion that he had been involved in planning the attempted robbery. He was charged with homicide, conspiracy, and armed robbery.

Alle said the owner was shaken up by the incident.

"He took care of things and defended himself and his store, and his life, and his family by using his gun," Alle said to KCAL-TV.

Santa Monica circa 2021. Photo by Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Alle went on to say that the business conditions in Santa Monica are dire.

"A lot of retailers have just given up," he explained. "If they report the crimes and the theft, they'll lose their insurance."

Police said the shop owner is cooperating with their investigation, which is ongoing. He has not been arrested, and he was not injured in the incident.

A post from the store's social media account referred to the shop as "the best sneaker spot from the bay to L.A."

Scenes from the store can be viewed on the video news report from KCAL on YouTube.

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Homeowner who shot alleged home burglar and left him in a 'pool of blood' in his bathroom will not be charged, Texas police say

A homeowner in Texas will not be charged after he shot a suspected burglar and left him in a "pool of blood" in his bathroom according to police.

Police said they were called to the home on Wildwood Avenue in the city of Beaumont just after midnight on Friday on a call about a burglary in progress.

While they were rushing to the scene, the homeowner told them that he had shot the burglar.

When police arrived they found a man wounded by gunshot in the bathroom of the house. They identified the robbery suspect as 43-year-old Jason Omar Cruz.

An officer applied a tourniquet to the man and was "instrumental in saving the suspect's life," said the police department.

He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A spokesperson for the Beaumont Police Department told KBMT-TV why the homeowner was not to be charged for the shooting.

"Even though they are the one who shot the suspect, they are still the victim. The suspect is the one who broke the law and committed a crime and as a result he was shot," said Haley Morrow, a public information officer.

Cruz will be taken to the Jefferson County Jail when he is released from the hospital. His bond has already been set at $100,000.

A neighbor said told KBMT they were shocked at the incident because the neighborhood is usually very tranquil.

"We have such friendly, nice people in this area, and so this must have been an intrusion as they say," Doug Taylor said. "Because we are just so settled and quiet here."

Here's a local news report about the incident:

Suspect in hospital, charged after Beaumont homeowner shoots suspected burglar www.youtube.com

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Santa Monica shoe store owner ambushed by attempted robbers — but he ends the threat with his gun, police say

Homeowner who shot alleged home burglar and left him in a 'pool of blood' in his bathroom will not be charged, Texas police say

Here's a local news report about the incident:

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Here's a local news report about the incident:

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