Store manager throws hot coffee in intruder's face

[August 09, 2010]  CRESCENT CITY, Calif. (AP) -- An attempted burglary at a California supply store was thwarted when the manager threw hot coffee in the face of a masked intruder.

Chris Hegnes, manager of the Englund Marine and Industrial Supply, was going into work early Monday morning when he encountered a man in a mask charging at him with a hammer.

Hegnes says he hurled his hot mocha at the man's face and ran for it.

The man came after him for a few steps, then ran to a vehicle parked behind the store.

Hegnes says the man apparently had been trying to break into a safe using the store's hardware tools. The man didn't get away with much, but damaged some tools.

The sheriff's office is investigating.

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Information from: The Daily Triplicate -- Del Norte

[Associated Press]

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