SAN DIEGO -- Two men broke into a jewelry store Tuesday morning in Old Town and were shot at by the shop's owner, police said.

The owner of Celebrity Gems and Jewelry at 2529 Congress St. was investigating a noise around 3:15 a.m. and discovered two men in dark clothing taking merchandise, San Diego police Sgt. Bob Dare said.

One of the men appeared to have a handgun and turned toward the shop owner, who then fired two shots toward the thieves, Dare said.

It was not immediately clear whether either of the thieves was wounded. They fled in a red sport utility vehicle, possibly a Ford Explorer, Dare said.

The jewelry shop owner was not hurt.

Police described the thieves as Hispanic males, around 20 to 25 years old. One was about 5 feet 6 and 145 pounds, while the second was 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 with a thin build, Dare said.