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Would-Be Oakland Taco Truck Robber Confronted By Armed Owner; 2 Shot

OAKLAND (CBS SF) - A taco truck owner accosted by an armed robber in Oakland early Thursday defended himself with his own gun in a shootout which injured both the victim and gunman, according to police.

The incident was reported at 1:34 a.m. in the 2000 block of Fruitvale Avenue, police said.

Oakland Police Officer Johnna Watson said the truck's owner was outside sweeping and doing other maintenance work when an armed man approached him and demanded money.

The truck owner was carrying a gun as well, and the two exchanged fire.

Both were shot, and were taken to hospitals, where they were in stable condition Thursday.

The suspected robber was placed under arrest but remained in the hospital under guard, Watson said.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Police also detained two other people believed to be connected to the robbery, an adult man and a juvenile.

Officers canvassed the neighborhood Thursday morning looking for witnesses and are trying to obtain surveillance video footage from nearby businesses.

Ron, a nearby resident, said he couldn't believe it.

"This shouldn't happen. They shouldn't be robbing anybody, but I guess that's a sign of the times," he said.

The incident was the latest in a string of robberies of taco trucks, Watson said. She said the trucks are inviting targets for robbers because they stay open late and deal in cash.

Oakland police have increased patrols in areas with late-night taco trucks, Watson said.

Last year on December 30th a five-year-old was shot and killed at a nearby taco truck at 54th and International Boulevard.  No one has been arrested in that case.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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