(ABC News) -- A gun-carrying grandmother in Milwaukee foiled an attempted robbery when she pulled a firearm on the suspect as he grabbed for her grocery store cash register.
Ernestine Aldana, 48, was behind the counter at the San Ignacio Market when a man in a dark hat pulled a knife on her and attempted to rob the store register, police said. Aldana pulled a handgun from behind the counter on the man, causing him to flee.
"All I remember is being scared," Aldana told ABC News. "I believe if I would have had my finger on the trigger I would have shot, thank god it actually didn't come to that, everybody thinks it's easy to pick up a gun and shoot someone, it's really not."
Aldana said she was thinking about firing, but by then the suspect had already had turned to flee.
The remarkable incident was all caught on surveillance video released by the Milwaukee Police Department, which is searching for the man. Aldana described the man as Hispanic, about 35 and between 165-180 pounds with pock marks on his cheeks.
Aldana says her son, who took her to a firing range to train her to shoot, bought the gun for the store. The family never thought they would need for the firearm, but are now grateful. "If I didn't have the gun there, he would have hurt me, once I had the gun there it changed everything," said Aldana.
In December 2011, Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill passing the "Castle Doctrine" in the state, which protects home and business owners using a gun in self-defense on their property.
Aldana added that she is now skeptical of restrictions on gun ownership. "[The gun] saved my life," she said.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:16 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:16:18 GMT
Bowling Green Police have issued a warrant for a Toledo man wanted for robbery. Jesse Bays, 26, was identified after police released surveillance images and got a tip that helped ID him. Officials say
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:08:47 GMT
We've been telling you about the new Toledo built Jeep Cherokee for a long time. As you know, it was unveiled at the New York City Auto Show in March. It is now very close to full production, but before
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:04:46 GMT
There are new details in the cat killing controversy in Stryker that we first told you about in March. Stryker Police Chief Steve Schlosser pleaded no contest to animal cruelty in Bryan Municipal Court
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The debate about legalizing marijuana is happening in most states across the country. Across the state line in Michigan, residents can now legally use medical marijuana. The Toledo Blade’s Kris Turner is working on a two-part series about the changing marijuana laws.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:29:25 GMT
Lots of people will be outside this Memorial Day weekend. They might be barbecuing, maybe fishing or hiking. Ticks will also be out this weekend. Ticks prefer the upper 60s, low brush and tall grass. The
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Friday, May 24 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:02:20 GMT
A man who was held at gunpoint after trying to break into a home has been indicted. A grand jury indicted Kyle Caldwell on one count of attempt to commit burglary. Police say he tried to break into a
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Friday, May 24 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:27:22 GMT
Toledo police need your help identifying some robbery suspects. Police say someone broke into the Eastgate Carryout on May 11. They released surveillance images of the people believed to be responsible,
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Friday, May 24 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 20:04:26 GMT
Two Toledo children have been missing since Sunday. According to police, 14-year-old Rochelle White and 15-year-old Zachery White ran away from home. The children's mother reported them missing May 20. If
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Friday, May 24 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-05-24 19:56:32 GMT
Friday is a sad anniversary in Monroe, Michigan. Four years after 5-year-old Nevaeh Buchanan was last seen alive, the investigation into her murder continues. Signs of heartache across Monroe are still
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