Chihuahua Attacked Ace Smoke Shop Robbers (Video)

on an armed robbery that took place at Ace Smoke Shop on Lake Avenue.

This week sheriff's deputies have released a surveillance video showing the robbery and the Chihuahua counterattack in the hopes of tracking down the two suspects.

Those who know Paco, the crime-fighting Chihuahua, say that he's usually friendly.

"But if he doesn't like someone, he's not," Hasmik Nazarian, a clerk at the smoke shop, told Patch.

The surveillance footage of Paco attacking two armed robbers has made him a local hero -- and a viral star.

Paco traveled to New York with his owner to be featured on a segment of Good Morning America. At home, Nazarian was passing out signed photographs of the canine hero and said the shop had plans to sell T-shirts with Paco's face.

Here are the details about the robbery from Lt. Joe Dempsey of the Altadena Sheriff's station:

Two suspects, one armed with a rifle, got an unexpected canine counterattack on July 7th, when they entered an Altadena smoke shop to rob it at 7:30PM.

The men entered Ace Smoke Shop on North Lake Avenue, with Suspect #2 pointing a rifle at the victim. Both suspects repeatedly ordered the victim to give them his money, telling him to put it into a backpack that Suspect #1 placed on the front counter.

Fearing for his life, the victim gave the suspects his cash, placing it in their backpack.

During the robbery, the victim’s pet Chihuahua attacked the suspects by barking and jumping on them. The dog appeared to create such a nervous distraction to the suspects that Suspect #2 even pointed his rifle at the dog. The suspects hurriedly fled the location on foot, last seen running southbound on Maiden Lane from Mariposa Street, with the victim’s money in their backpack and the dog chasing after them.

The robbery victim and the dog were not injured.

Suspect #1: MH/18-25 years, 5’06”-5’10”/150-180 pounds; wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt; white shorts; black shoes; and a red bandana; carrying a black/gray backpack

Suspect #2: MH/18-25 years, 5’06”-5’10”/150-180 pounds, wearing a black jacket with yellow trim, dark shirt, dark pants, and a black ski mask, armed with a rifle

Weapon: Rifle, dark in color, unknown make/model

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Binder at 626-296-2114 or 626-798-1131. If you prefer to provide information ANONYMOUSLY, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.