JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are looking for two men who held up Best Guaranteed Loan, a pawn shop at the 6900 block of Normandy Boulevard.
Investigators said two men came in to the business midmorning Friday, showed weapons and demanded money while several customers were inside, including one child.
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"A fellow came in and didn't alarm us. He looked like he had been in there before and just wanted to get a loan, and then the two of them pulled guns on us," said shop owner Gerald Nyren.
He said the robbers forced everyone to the ground and got away with money and other items.
As the suspects fled in a green or blue car, possibly an Acura, Nyren grabbed a gun and chased them out into the parking lot.
"Apparently the owner of the business fired several rounds at the suspects as they were fleeing," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Lt. Richard Elkins said.
Police didn't know if either of the suspects or the vehicle was hit by the gunfire.
"I don?t know yet, but I hope when they find the car, they can count six (shots)," Nyren said.
He said he doesn't consider himself brave or a hero, but said he's just a concerned citizen.
"I don?t know how to explain that. You just do what has to be done, I guess," said Nyren. "Everyone was OK. That?s the big concern during something like that -- everybody's OK."
The pawn shop closed early on Friday because many of the shop's employees were very shaken up by the armed robbery.
Anyone with any information about the robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.
