To the armed men in the Pasadena parking lot, the driver of the Mazda they flagged down Saturday night with the intention of robbing appeared to be a typical good Samaritan pulling over to help some stranded motorists.
But the man they robbed of his cash and shot at just before midnight was not just a concerned passerby - he was an off-duty county police officer.
The 23-year-old officer, who has been a member of the county police department for a year, was driving his personal vehicle north on Waterford Road when two men in a parking lot in the 8000 block began waving at him, motioning him to stop, police said.
After the officer pulled over, the men walked up to his car; one to the driver's side and the other to the passenger-side window. The man at the driver's side window told the officer he was robbing him and demanded he hand over his money, which the officer did without fighting back.
Before running off, the man at the passenger window fired one shot into the officer's vehicle. The bullet missed the officer and struck the interior of his driver's side door, police said. He was not injured and did not fire his gun back at the men who robbed him.
The officer, assigned to the patrol division, is not being named to ensure his safety, police said.
The incident has prompted police to warn "good Samaritans" about pulling over to help other motorists, especially at night.
"If you're put in a situation where a person is flagging you over, you should go to the nearest phone and call police to help them," said Sgt. John Gilmer, a county police spokesman. "That way you can help them without putting yourself in danger. We understand people want to help others, but we don't want anyone to jeopardize their safety in the process."
After the robbery, the men ran across Waterford Road to the back of the E-Z Quick Mart at 231 Mountain Road.
Officers used a K-9 unit and helicopters to search for the men, but could not find them.
Police said the men are Hispanic. One is 5-feet 5-inches tall and between 130 and 150 pounds, with a shaved head, no facial hair, and was wearing a white tank top. The second man was wearing a black T-shirt and was armed with a handgun.
Anyone with information is asked to call county police at 410-222-6145. Those with information can also call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP, where they may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of $2,000.
