DURHAM — A McDonald's manager has been released from the hospital after being shot in the side during an armed robbery attempt Tuesday night. Thanks to the quick thinking of an off-duty police officer, the three suspects were quickly arrested and taken into custody.

The shooting happened at the McDonald's inside the Wal-Mart store at the New Hope Commons Shopping Center about 10 p.m. Tuesday. The shopping center is on the Durham-Orange county line.

Police say two teenagers approached Joe Crews, the manager, and demanded money. Crews was shot in the side during a struggle with the gunmen. Crews was released Wednesday from Duke University Medical Center.

It just so happened an off-duty officer was inside the Wal-Mart when the hold-up happened. He used his two-way radio to direct other officers to the crime scene.

Wednesday, both the McDonald's and the Wal-Mart where the restaurant is located were back to normal operations. Shoppers who were asked about the crime were surprised to learn a shooting could happen in such a public place.

Durham Police Cpl. Fran Borden says the incident is also alarming to investigators.