Published: March 31, 2009 09:49 am      

Shotgun blast deters robbers

Galen Scott

gscott@weatherforddemocrat.com

Authorities arrested Jose Manuel Salas, 33, and Javier Harvey Ortiz, 44, Saturday in connection with an early morning robbery along Azle Highway.

Reports indicate a homeowner operating a business from the same location called for help at approximately 1:30 a.m. after he found two men stealing cash and rolls of quarters from his business.

The homeowner told the men to stop before firing a shotgun once at one of the suspects who then fled with another man in a car, according to an affidavit detailing the incident.

A short time later, Parker County Sheriff’s deputies detained a vehicle matching the homeowner’s description. Salas was driving and Ortiz was a passenger, the Sheriff’s Office said.

A statement claims deputies found stolen property matching a description given by the homeowner inside the vehicle, and the homeowner arrived to identify the suspects and vehicle.

Salas was charged with burglary of a habitation, failure to maintain financial responsibility and for no driver’s license.

Ortiz was arrested in accordance with a Tarrant County warrant and was also charged with burglary of habitation.