Hazleton police are investigating a robbery and shooting at Puffs n Pics at West 15th and Grant streets Saturday morning.

Police were dispatched for a report of gunshots in the area of West 15th and Peace streets, a block from the store, around 10:15 a.m. and later they received multiple calls about a fleeing vehicle, which was located at Fifth and Arthur streets.

Police at the scene said the owner of the store fired at the robber. An officer outside the store held a bag with four shotgun shells, which had been lying in the parking lot.

Police Chief Jerry Speziale said a 23-year-old man was shot and treated at a regional trauma center for non-life-threatening wounds. With an investigation underway, the chief said he could not elaborate at this point the extent of the man's role in the incident.

A Nissan sedan was towed from Arthur Street and police talked to the owner of the car, who could be heard saying that her friend said he needed to buy cigarettes.

The vehicle's front passenger side tire was gone and the vehicle was on its rim. Pieces of the shredded tire were found all along Diamond Avenue and Arthur Street.

Police did not detain the woman, who was visibly shaken.

Speziale said later Saturday that police are conducting a criminal investigation that will be overseen by the Luzerne County District Attorney's office.

"Charges in the investigation will come from the district attorney," Speziale said. "I'm confident in the abilities of the Hazleton police detectives and the district attorney's office that they will piece together and determine exactly what transpired."

District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis could not be reached for comment.

In October 2014, a clerk at Puffs n Pics chased down a man who walked into the store and demanded money before fleeing with cigarettes.

During that incident, police charged 29-year-old Christopher Robinson with robbery, theft, reckless endangerment and receiving stolen property.

Police said Robinson grabbed cigarettes and ran from the store after demanding money and attempted to flee in a vehicle that had been chased down by a clerk. The clerk hung onto the car while trying to turn off the ignition.

The vehicle eventually struck a curbside tree on Grant Street. The clerk turned the vehicle off and exchanged punches with the suspect before police arrived and took the suspect into custody.

According to a court docket, a charge of felony robbery against Robinson in the case was held for Luzerne County treatment court. The other charges were withdrawn.— Kelly Monitz and Sam Galski