San Diego Reader

A suspect remains on the loose after a botched armed robbery at the Welldeck Liquor store on the 3700 block of Avocado Boulevard in the unincorporated La Mesa community of Rancho San Diego late Saturday morning.

Witnesses described a “possibly Hispanic” suspect with “bloodshot eyes, carrying an orange backpack . . . and a submachine gun” type weapon, who fled on foot after being confronted by a store employee. He was wearing all black clothing, with a black cloth covering most of his face.

Sheriff’s deputies from the Lemon Grove substation called in a search helicopter and a K-9 unit, but efforts to locate the suspect were unsuccessful.