Strong-arm robbers targeting Tacoma businesses
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TACOMA, Wash. -- Police say a gunman is leading a gang of young crooks in a string of strong-arm robberies around Tacoma.
Newly-released surveillance video offers a detailed look at one of the robberies, and detectives hope the images will help put an end to the crime spree.
The robberies started at a Tacoma hamburger stand late last month, and the thieves have struck another five times since then. Two of those businesses were targeted twice.
"It was pretty scary. The first time it was two guys and the second time it was four," said Willy Hammond, owner of Big Willy's convenience store.
The first time the thieves hit Big Willy's was on Halloween, when neighborhood children were flooding the store for free candy. One trick-or-treater found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
"We had a little kid come in, and the guy pointed a gun right at him," Hammond said. "You know, like a 10 year old."
Detectives say the robbers gang up on store clerks while accomplices steal beer and packs of cigarettes. The gang's ringleader forces the employee to empty the cash register at gunpoint.
"One people came, they just open, big money. Big money, but it small money," said convenience store clerk Rana Choo.
Choo said the robbers even forced two customers to carry beer outside and load it into their getaway car.
The crooks cover their faces during the robberies, but investigators hope the new surveillance video will help nab them before anyone gets hurt.
"We have had our issues in the past, but never anything like this," Hammond. "It's getting scarier around here. It's not safe. Good people move out of the neighborhood when it gets like that."
The robbers have gone underground in recent weeks, ever since a witness fired a shot in the air during the last holdup.
Newly-released surveillance video offers a detailed look at one of the robberies, and detectives hope the images will help put an end to the crime spree.
The robberies started at a Tacoma hamburger stand late last month, and the thieves have struck another five times since then. Two of those businesses were targeted twice.
"It was pretty scary. The first time it was two guys and the second time it was four," said Willy Hammond, owner of Big Willy's convenience store.
The first time the thieves hit Big Willy's was on Halloween, when neighborhood children were flooding the store for free candy. One trick-or-treater found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.
"We had a little kid come in, and the guy pointed a gun right at him," Hammond said. "You know, like a 10 year old."
Detectives say the robbers gang up on store clerks while accomplices steal beer and packs of cigarettes. The gang's ringleader forces the employee to empty the cash register at gunpoint.
"One people came, they just open, big money. Big money, but it small money," said convenience store clerk Rana Choo.
Choo said the robbers even forced two customers to carry beer outside and load it into their getaway car.
The crooks cover their faces during the robberies, but investigators hope the new surveillance video will help nab them before anyone gets hurt.
"We have had our issues in the past, but never anything like this," Hammond. "It's getting scarier around here. It's not safe. Good people move out of the neighborhood when it gets like that."
The robbers have gone underground in recent weeks, ever since a witness fired a shot in the air during the last holdup.
You tube is filled with examples where punks mistakenly picked on individuals with CWPs or CPLs.Â
The Punks usually do not survive such confrontations. Let us hope that such will be the fate of
these bozos.
They will eventually hit the wrong place and their last event will be recorded in the obituaries.
I noticed while watching the video on tonight's news that the robber at the counter was holding the gun sideways. That guarantees he's a punk and probably can't even shoot straight.
I've told you, Brian Scherf must die for what he's done. He killed an innocent while he was in prison. He is a sick animal and he needs to be put down. Don't allow him to kill another Correctional Officer. Life without is what he had to begin with and it didn't stop him from killing again. Put this sick animal down. Use the death penalty. There is NO question here!Â
Meanwhile, while honing my zombie hunting skills, I encountered THIS dirtbag.**facepalm**
Lots of salad shooters are on the plate tonight. No one with the guts to do what's right.
Hey reporter Joel Mareno you need to study up on Washington law.
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"Strong Arm Robbery"? They used a gun. That would be Robbery. No such thing as strong armed robbery in the state of Washington. It's Robbery 1 or Robbery 2, this one if reported accurately, would be a Robbery 1.Â
Your cute Stoat. What forest you live in?
 @I Like Meat (((BLUSH))) aww that's very kind of you to say!  You look like a proper, furry mammal as well!  ;-)  Your screen name also projects a magnificent dedication to proper nutrition.  Bravo!  ;-)  Â
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I'm in the forests around the Seattle area.  I generally try to keep out of trouble, but sometimes I don't do a very good job at that  ;-)
 @Stoat  @I Like Meat Both Stoat and I Like Meat are adorable, and both look quite hungry in these photos.
Do either of you like broiled scumbag for dinner, by any chance? If so, you just might have a huge feast coming your way in the Tacoma area. One can only hope, anyway.Â
 @MC hehe!  I'm delighted  :-)  Squirrels should be allowed to focus on the already-excellent and essential work they do and not be worried by fears of being eaten  ;-) Â
 @Stoat Phew!!!! thanks, that's a load off my mind....lol...
 @MC  @I Like Meat "snicker"  ;-)  No worries as far as I'm concerned....I prefer steak & cheesecake :-)  Squirrels are honorable members of the forest community and deserve everyone's respect and courtesy, which involves not eating them, among other things  ;-) Â
 @Stoat @I Like Meat Hope nobody likes squirrel....Yikes!!!
 @MargeGunderson  @I Like Meat Marge, thank you so much for your exceptional compliments :-) What a nice thing to say  :-) Â
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Although I'd be delighted to assist in bringing all of these scumbags to a room-temperature or lower state, I'm thinking that their composition would be so foul that they wouldn't make a quality meal and would most likely cause sickness.  Even small forest mammals are smart enough to stay away from bad food  ;-)
Whichever shop owner, counter clerk or store patron shoots all of these scumbags dead should be given a parade by the City, to commemorate the tremendous Community Service they've provided.
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Yes, I know it'll never happen....I did qualify that by saying 'should' Â ;-) Â
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There's a timely hint for Holiday shoppers....do you have someone on your present list who you can't think of a great gift for?  A gift certificate for a tactical marksmanship and stress-fire course is something that any legal gun owner would appreciate.  You might be helping a loved one to save his or her own life or the life of someone else  :-)
 @Stoat Firearms Academy of Seattle has a bunch of great classes.
 @KittySmasher I appreciate that, thank you, as I'm sure many others do who are in need of a great gift for someone who understands the realities of life in the 21st Century.
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Sincerely appreciated  :-)
By the sound of what they take, how they dress and how little money they're actually getting, I bet they're punk kids that aren't even 21 yet.
"The robbers have gone underground in recent weeks, ever since a witness fired a shot in the air during the last holdup."
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I can picture all the Seattle Liberals reading that sentence and just staring at the screen in disbelief because they didn't teach that in Conflict Resolution 101.
 @Mumblix Grumph That's what you took from this article? Awesome job man
 @Larry*X*K Let's see...thugs robbing businesses without any resistance...and the thuggery continues, hell it increases! Soon, these punks even have the audacity to force other customers to load the stolen beer into their get-a-way vehicle.
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As soon as one witness dares to fire back...the thugs pee their pants and go into hiding.Â
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THAT'S what I took from this article. What did YOU take from it?
 @NickM1979  @Mumblix Grumph Keep guessing Nick, and don't give up your day job if you have one to become a psychic
 @Mumblix Grumph  @Larry*X*K Larrys take is that the poor kids have had a tough life and that they are getting traumatized by the gun shot, hence we should place them in a juive institution where they can be rehabilitated on public tax dollars!! :D
And quite possibly players in the whole thing.
I would like to know if  these 2 customers that were "Forced" to take beer to their car knows them by chance?Â