CLARKSTON, Mich. – An owner of a Clarkston jewelry store was shot when the store was robbed Saturday afternoon, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.
It happened around 4 p.m. Saturday at Clarkston Jewelry Outlet.
Family members gave hugs to Danny Chiappelli outside the jewelry store where Chiappelli and his son were robbed Saturday afternoon. Local 4 News is told two men with guns rushed their way inside the Clarkston business.
"Held guns to their heads, told them to get to the ground," said Danny's wife, Tracey Chiappelli.
One robber forced Danny Chiappelli and his son to a back room. That's when this father went into protection mode.
"Wrestled with the assailant and tried to get the gun, and he panicked and he told the other guy to get in here and shoot this (expletive)," Tracey Chiappelli said.
In the process, the robbers shot Danny Chiappelli in the back, and that's when the second robber jumped in.
"'Let go of the gun,' or what not. He said, 'I'll kill your boy,'" Tracey Chiappelli said.
Investigators said the robbers eventually jumped into a white Chevy and Danny Chiappelli, despite being shot, followed in a pickup. The two eventually crashed around the corner.
Deputies caught one guy, but the other took off running through Lakeview Cemetery, right into Jim Brueck's garage.
"I guess I thank my lucky stars he wasn't looking to come into the house," Brueck said.
The gunman on the run was looking for a getaway car on Middle Lake Road.
Brueck realized the man on the loose had tried to steal his car.
"I said, 'Hey, someone's been in my vehicle,'" Brueck said. "They checked to make sure no one was here. They picked up track and continued to follow them.
They discovered the armed robber had ran across a frozen lake and brok into a neighbor's garage and stole a Jeep. The keys had been left inside.
At the jewelry store, Danny Chiappelli and his family hope deputies find the wanted robber. For now, they're simply thankful they walked away.
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