Bakery employee allegedly shoots robbery suspect

A bakery employee allegedly shot a thief Tuesday morning in Hartford, Conn.

Officers received a report of a victim at the Barranquitas Mini Bakery at 262 Franklin Ave., which is in the city's south end, shortly before 8:30 a.m.

Deputy Chief Brian Foley said that a bakery staff member shot the suspected thief after a struggle over a tip jar, which had been sitting on a counter.

The owner told Eyewitness News that the jar was bolted to the counter because it had been stolen once before.

"This area [is] real bad, real bad," said Frankie Barreto, owner of Barranquitas. "But there is nothing we can do."

Barreto said he was inside the bakery at the time of the incident.

The suspect was hit in the right leg, according to Foley. The identity of the suspect has not yet been released.

Police said the suspect is in the hospital and is expected to speak with them later in the day.

The Hartford Police Department's major crimes division responded. Officers were scene swarming the building up until about 11 a.m.

The bakery is closed, but Barreto said he expects to open later in the day.