Men Robbed, One Shot Leaving Gun Range

Two Santa Cruz men who had just finished recreational shooting at Markley’s Indoor Range and Gun Shop in Watsonville were robbed at gunpoint by a masked man Sunday afternoon, police reported.

One of the men, a 38-year-old, was shot in the leg when he tried to flee the holdup. Police said his injury was not life-threatening.

The broad daylight armed robbery occurred around 2:11 p.m. on Blanca Lane near Vic Rugh Lane, off Freedom Boulevard. The men, a 46-year-old and his son-in-law, were locking their gun in the truck of their car when the robber approached and pointed a handgun at them, according to police.

The robber, who covered his face with a bandanna, demanded their weapon. The father grabbed the robber's gun and struggled with him while his son-in-law ran but the gunman broke free and chased the younger man. He fired several shots at the son-in-law, striking him once in the leg, police said.

The younger man's wound was not life threatening but he was flown to a Bay Area trauma center due to the severity of the wound, police said.

After the shooting, the gunman jumped into a waiting black or dark green Acura, which drove away on Gardener Avenue toward Freedom. The car was likely a 1988-92, with poor body condition and a back window with tint that was bubbling. The driver was about 28 to 32 years old; the gunman was described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 160 pounds wearing a hat and a black and white bandanna, according to police.

Detectives ask that anyone with information about the robbery and shooting call the Crime Tip line at 728-3544 or the Investigation Bureau at 768-3352.