A SANTA CRUZ STORE OWNER GOT IN A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH A THIEF LAST THURSDAY EVENING. AT AROUND 8:45 P-M A MAN WALKED INTO A WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET AND WALKED OUT OF THE STORE WITH 2 BEERS. THE STORE OWNER CONFRONTED THE MAN AND WAS ATTACKED. THE OWNER SAID HE WAS PUNCHED IN THE FACE TWICE SUFFERING A SPLIT LIP. HE THEN PUNCHED THE THIEF CAUSING THE MAN TO FLEE THE SCENE ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION IS URGED TO CONTACT THE SANTA CRUZ POLICE DEPARTMENT.