A robber wearing a gas mask held up a Maplewood convenience store early this morning, according to Vancouver police. A witnessed followed the suspect out of the store, where shots were fired.
Shots were fired at a robber wearing a gas mask after he held up a convenience store early Wednesday morning in the Maplewood neighborhood, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
The man entered the store, at 2721 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., at about 4:45 a.m., pointed a firearm at the clerk, robbed the store and fled, police said.
A friend of the clerk, who was armed and in the store at the time of the robbery, followed the suspect outside, according to Vancouver police.
During the chase, the suspect turned and pointed his firearm at the clerk’s friend, who then fired multiple shots at the suspect, police said.
The suspect got into a waiting car and fled the area, police said. It is unknown if the suspect was struck by any of the rounds.
Neither the clerk nor the clerk’s friend were injured.
Investigators described the robbery suspect as a white man between the ages of 18 and 25, about 5 feet 6 inches tall with a thin build. Police said he was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans and a gas mask.
The car involved in the incident was described as a two-door mid-1990s Honda Accord with black horizontal trim.
Investigators are focused on the robber, Vancouver police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said, but the man who fired the weapon could potentially face charges.
“It’s too early to tell, but once the case is investigated, it will be up to the prosecutor to make a charging decision on him,” Kapp said.
Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect is asked to contact Detective Neil Martin at 360-487-7423 or neil.martin@cityofvanouver.us.
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