Owner of store chases robber, fires gun, money flies in the air

PHILADELPHIA — An armed robber who stole thousands of dollars from a Philadelphia laundromat was chased down by the owner of the business, police told

A man, 42, armed with a knife demanded that the laundromat owner give him cash. After handing over the money, the owner grabbed a gun and chased after the robber, police said.

"I saw one of the guys running with a pack of money. When this guy ran he told him three times, 'Stop! Stop! Stop,’” said Angel Perez, a witness.

According to police, as the robber ran down the street, he threw the money in the air - an estimated $2,000 worth.

"People running north, south, west, east. Then all of a sudden I'm like, 'Why are people coming back?' Because they saw the money flying in the air,” said Elvin Gonzalez, another witness.

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The owner fired five shots at the robber, striking him twice in the chest. He’s in critical condition. An innocent bystander was shot in the hand. She’s in stable condition.

The money was actually stolen again by people who witnessed the chaos and grabbed cash off the street.

The laundromat owner had a license to carry a gun, police told

.

He won’t face charges because the robber was armed and police determined it was a case of self-defense.

Cox Media Group