Three people, armed with knives, were attempting to rob the store, which has been in the Clarington councillor's family for more than 50 years.
"It's the worst experience anybody could possibly ever imagine," said Mr. Hooper. "It's all laid on the line, right there in front of you."
In the course of the robbery, one store employee had been dragged into a back room, bound with duct tape. She had been stabbed and threatened with death. The employee underwent surgery for severe lacerations to her hand.
Two of the suspects have been caught and arrested, after Mr. Hooper and another man gave chase. Police are seeking the third suspect.
The arrests were due in part to Mr. Hooper's reaction on finding people "armed and threatening" his staff, which included at least one of Mr. Hooper's family members.
"The adrenaline kicked in," Mr. Hooper said. "I (and another person) ended up chasing them. We caught two out of three."
Police quickly arrived to make the arrests. One suspect was caught in a nearby parking lot, allegedly attempting to steal a van by using a screwdriver. There was a struggle between the man and the police officer, but the suspect was taken to the ground and arrested. A 10-inch kitchen knife was found in the suspect's back pocket.
A second suspect was also caught, but a third remains on the lam.
The robbery happened just before 5 p.m. Mr. Hooper had been at Town Hall, preparing for Tuesday evening's council meeting.
"I walked in on it," he said of the robbery.
The thieves got no money or jewelry in the botched hold-up.
Staff at the store "did what they were supposed to do" during the robbery, Mr. Hooper said.
"They're really the heroes," he said.
Charles Potts, 23, of no fixed address, and Michael Arthur Young, 33, of Stinson Avenue in Hamilton are both charged with attempted robbery, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, weapons dangerous, forcible confinement, and attempted theft.
The final suspect is described as a white man, five foot ten to six feet tall, 25 to 35 years old, with a shaved head and a receding hairline. He was wearing a dark brown or black leather jacket, a light-coloured untucked patterned dress shirt, blue jeans and running shoes. He was armed with a large knife, and is considered armed and dangerous.
Investigators believe he may be travelling in a red Pontiac Grand Prix or Grand Am-style vehicle, and may be heading towards the Hamilton area.
"Don't approach him," said DRPS spokesman David Selby. Anyone who believes they have spotted the man should call police.
"This is of great concern to us. It was very violent," Mr. Selby said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jim Houston of the Robbery Unit at 905-579-1520, ext. 5355. Anonymous tips can be made to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
