sm
member
“Be real easy to rob you folks…”
Dollar Type store, in a shopping center since gone downhill and the neighborhood around it.
Broad daylight, plenty of folks going into and out of stores; granted at night this parking lot takes on a whole different personality.
As I pulled into the lot and parked I was taking note of surroundings and folks. Two fellows had pulled in about the same time, from the markings on their trucks, a bricklayer and plumber. Plumber had a piece of Rebar about 10-12” long in his rear pocket, I had made a special note of how he had exited his truck and stuck that in his pocket.
Oh how I hate the over-commercialized shopping this time of year. Seems easier to “run in” these Dollar Type stores, for little everyday items, prices are better, smaller to navigate, and less hassle.
Seems the plumber needed Hand Cleaner, Bricklayer needed a quart of oil for his truck,…
There is an l-o-n-g line to checkout. One young attractive frazzled female checker, trying to keep sane and get folks taken care as best could.
“I am sorry folks, I appreciate your patience, our help has not arrived and one person had an emergency in the family…we have someone on their way…thank you for understanding…”
If you have worked with the public you understand. If you have not – those us of who have, can spot you a mile away.
She was not alone in the store,alone up front, another new person in the back getting merchandise priced. I mean way in the back, past the break room.
One enters the store and there is a checkout lane to one’s left. This is the one where some things are behind the counter, I call it the Manager area, you know the one where some things need to be more secure, refunds are done and such.
Separating this from the second checkout area is a display, designed such to keep folks from running in, shoplifting and running out.
Second checkout has the metal fridges with sodas in front of checker. Once checked out one has a path around the separating display to exit. Once in, one has to exit by going around the display.
We have seen this type of set up at Stop &Rob and other places too.
In the process of shopping I had seen these two gentlemen in the store, like me trying to dodge displays, and navigate aisle designed to prevent a Shoplifter from doing a grab and run out the door.
I already know where the back exit is, as I have been in here before, I tend to read a room, and look for exits anyway.
Bricklayer was up ahead in line near the Fridge with sodas. Plumber is looking at something near the closed checkout, probably thinking about not buying here with the long lines and making a stop elsewhere.
First I hear and felt the car pull up out front. Then I saw the first of two folks come in the exit door as a customer left. I went from yellow orange to red.
I noticed the bricklayer put his quart of oil on a display, his hand in his front pocket, he turned and as he did our eyes met, then we met the eyes of the plumber, his goods were on a shelf, one hand near that Rebar, the other in his pocket.
We had never met, never seen each other before, we never said a word, or eyes were doing the talking.
Second fellow came in the enter door, and just stood there, eyeing the Cashier.
All this time the folks shopping shopped, the ones in line just huffed, puffed and griped. None of these folks were aware of anything, but themselves, being on cell-phones “Yes I am stuck in long line at checkout; I will be hurrying as to not be late…no you cannot have that toy…one kid crying, needs to eat and nap …”
Nobody was aware of anything until “Be real easy to rob you folks…”
Was spoken by the second fellow to enter – you could have heard a pin drop.
Second person to enter – well in explicit terms he said how much he liked what he saw in the blue jeans and logo T-shirt the young female checker was wearing.
All this time I had slowly slinked back and using the Fridge with sodas, between me and both gentlemen; that had entered, had casually appeared to be shopping for baby items.
The checker’s lane butts up to “cubby hole” with all the baby items. There is a shelf about 5’ high, I am 6’ it is metal, and lined with diapers and formulas
We three strangers had been positioning ourselves; we had spread out, and finding something for concealment, and hopefully some kind of cover.
Imagine a clock dial Checker at 9 o’clock, suspicious person #1 at 11 o’clock, suspicious person #2 at 1 o’clock.
Bricklayer positioned far left of 9 o’clock using fridge of sodas as concealment/ cover. He could see suspicious folks and Plumber. Plumber was using the Freezer as cover at 3 o’clock. Plumber had back to freezer and unknown, unseen to suspicious folks.
I was at 10 o’clock, only the Bricklayer knew where I had ended up – my eyes had said my intentions, his eyes had replied understanding.
I noticed away from suspicious persons eyes, the checker has a pair of scissors, and her right hand was on them, her left on the cash register.
Now when the intentions of explicit sex were verbalized, not everyone heard it, the ones up front woke up from a daze and a few left out the front and past the suspicious person – he just grinned. He was on something, had to be the way he acted. His eyes darting, hands in his light jacket pockets.
Everyone else was oblivious to anything – except how long the line was and such.
Suspicious person #2 had on a jacket as well, his right hand near his right rear pocket.
An ornament had been dropped, and we all know how these sound when they hit a linoleum floor.
Yes I drew my CCW and went to low ready and was scanning like crazy.
I spoke from concealment.
“Folks, we are not going to have a problem here. Shoppers – head to the back where there is a break room and exit. Leave your items in buggies, or put on the floor. Pick up little kids and walk cool like you would in a fire drill”
They ran, made frantic, panic sounds and ran…sigh…
“Gentleman, I do not want trouble, I do want to see hands NOW! Understand I am not alone and you are covered quite well!!”
“Young lady, please exit your checkout area towards the baby goods section, slowly and as cool as can”.
She came around with scissors in hand, she had that look of wanting to cry and wanting to survive, she did not blink an eye when she saw my CCW. Finger to my mouth, she nodded, I pulled her down, and motioned for her to crawl an area on the floor I felt would give best cover. She pulled her cell phone, I nodded okay and she made a call.
I had been moving and speaking , now instead of being where I would have had to shoot weak-handed to ~7 yards, I was now where I could use strong hand out to ~ 12 yards on Suspicious person #2 if need be.
Eternity passed in a matter of seconds, the two suspicious folks left and I heard and felt the car out front pull away.
Ever seen young ladies totally get pissed? I have, she earned the right to do so. I asked if she was all right, she was doing okay. I had concealed my weapon and explained to her, “I know, my parents have CCW, I didn’t see a thing, it totally <expletive> sucks I have to wait until age 21”.
Now the other two gents, the bricklayer and plumber, well we didn’t have to say a word. We never mentioned guns or CCW. I / we have no idea what in fact we may have had.
Finally, other employees show up, as do Police. Bricklayer said the car had no plates; it was “customized” so that description was given.
The officer was an older one; I had seen him before years ago on a private range. He did not ask about CCW nor did he inquire if any us were CCW-ing or asked to see permits.
The Shoppers, oh some did leave out the exit, seems one had enough sense to call someone in Sheriff’s office she knew on his private cell line, lived not too far away. Seems she had a bad experience with 911 and well, met this Deputy, and just started calling direct for assistance. City County, state numbers filed in phone, in wallet and handy at home.
This Deputy showed up in plain clothes, being off today. I had seen him before as well; he let the City Officer handle matters, just assisted and listened, called his dept in regard to vehicle and descriptions of suspicious folks.
Shoppers were “inconvenienced”, they were sure to let the Manager know and the other employees that showed up. It would be better if they got a discount or something…
Now sometimes one gets lucky, the mirror in the corner that usually looks down into where I was, was not there. I looked for it; all I saw was the mount. Seems it had just fallen one night and set off the alarms in the middle of the night. The new one was supposed to be put up after hours tonight or tomorrow night.
Yes I drew a CCW, I was in a cubby hole all my lonesome, I felt it best to be ready in the event matters went south. The most vulnerable person to be hit by a bullet was the checker, there is that part about her being escorted out against her will.
Do not ask me why I spoke when I did, or why I said what I did. At the time my mind was going ninety miles an hour, and the whole scene was in slow motion. My gut was screaming at me and my color code had become flashing bright red.
I took an action, right, wrong – I took this one. It didn’t seem out of line according to the officers, plumber or bricklayer. In fact the plumber was just about to say something as he too was completely out of view of the suspicious persons.
The checker took the rest of the day off. Most likely she will not be coming back. She is going to see if she can do something else part time to make some money, she still lives at home, and attends college elsewhere.
Bricklayer, Plumber and I parted. We did not say a lot to each other or the officers, just answered questions, exchanged information to them. Hard to explain this “knowing” without words, if you have been there – you understand.
I am doing okay. As typical for me, this all hits later on. I took a longer route home, took a side road out and beat the crap out of a tree with branches, seemed to be what I needed at the time. Just felt like hitting something and having something break.
Probably left out some details, probably messed up some grammar or spelling – buy I do that anyway. Yes I left out some personal information as it is not relevant, and I do respect the privacy of some folks.
Now I need to get my focus back on studying for my last final.
This just allows me to vent, debrief, and maybe somewhere in all this garbled post is something someone can use. I probably made some errors – right now, I have to put these aside until I am receptive enough to comprehend. I seem to have “dropped” this and for now just want to study…best can.
CRSam said it best One never knows the where or when of next encounter
Well, all I was doing was just being a regular guy wanting to run in – run out with some needed items. I do not go looking for trouble, I am one that avoids persons, places, and playgrounds, - so as to NOT get into serious trouble.
Interesting- the things that go thru your mind at times like these. Diapers; yes diapers. See on a few places I have shot, or still do, Kimberly Clark has these bails of waste from manufacturing. Kimberly Clark makes diapers and other “paper products”. These bails are used for safe backstops. Yes they really will stop a bullet. Handgun bullets to shotgun slugs to various centerfire from rifles. Big bails stopping bullets and I have this run thru my brain as I take note the Disposable Diapers are about 3 deep on a shelf.
Note to self: some day shoot a package of diapers just to satisfy a curiosity, need to shoot, one, two and three ‘deep”…I gotta know how these do with a thin metal back shelf.
Just remembered – my backstops, #1 at the angle I was would have been –“dicey”. Storefront is glass with brick about waist high, shopping buggies. I would have gone for a below waist shot, I would have had to do this weak-handed at one time. If I missed, had to miss low and have the buggies and brick.
#2, well he was pacing about 3 steps back and forth, behind him was the part of the store all brick, shelving, and that other check out counter.
I will say if #2 had come into store, past the freezer where Plumber was, Plumber was in a great position to disarm and stop an immediate threat.
Regards,
Steve
See why I want to leave this big city, and area? Not that this kind of thing does occur in smaller areas, less populated, just I do not like the odds, not at all. Too many matters in too small a time frame - my gut is speaking to me. Telling me to leave, hence the reason some of you folks have been contacted for ideas and input.
Dollar Type store, in a shopping center since gone downhill and the neighborhood around it.
Broad daylight, plenty of folks going into and out of stores; granted at night this parking lot takes on a whole different personality.
As I pulled into the lot and parked I was taking note of surroundings and folks. Two fellows had pulled in about the same time, from the markings on their trucks, a bricklayer and plumber. Plumber had a piece of Rebar about 10-12” long in his rear pocket, I had made a special note of how he had exited his truck and stuck that in his pocket.
Oh how I hate the over-commercialized shopping this time of year. Seems easier to “run in” these Dollar Type stores, for little everyday items, prices are better, smaller to navigate, and less hassle.
Seems the plumber needed Hand Cleaner, Bricklayer needed a quart of oil for his truck,…
There is an l-o-n-g line to checkout. One young attractive frazzled female checker, trying to keep sane and get folks taken care as best could.
“I am sorry folks, I appreciate your patience, our help has not arrived and one person had an emergency in the family…we have someone on their way…thank you for understanding…”
If you have worked with the public you understand. If you have not – those us of who have, can spot you a mile away.
She was not alone in the store,alone up front, another new person in the back getting merchandise priced. I mean way in the back, past the break room.
One enters the store and there is a checkout lane to one’s left. This is the one where some things are behind the counter, I call it the Manager area, you know the one where some things need to be more secure, refunds are done and such.
Separating this from the second checkout area is a display, designed such to keep folks from running in, shoplifting and running out.
Second checkout has the metal fridges with sodas in front of checker. Once checked out one has a path around the separating display to exit. Once in, one has to exit by going around the display.
We have seen this type of set up at Stop &Rob and other places too.
In the process of shopping I had seen these two gentlemen in the store, like me trying to dodge displays, and navigate aisle designed to prevent a Shoplifter from doing a grab and run out the door.
I already know where the back exit is, as I have been in here before, I tend to read a room, and look for exits anyway.
Bricklayer was up ahead in line near the Fridge with sodas. Plumber is looking at something near the closed checkout, probably thinking about not buying here with the long lines and making a stop elsewhere.
First I hear and felt the car pull up out front. Then I saw the first of two folks come in the exit door as a customer left. I went from yellow orange to red.
I noticed the bricklayer put his quart of oil on a display, his hand in his front pocket, he turned and as he did our eyes met, then we met the eyes of the plumber, his goods were on a shelf, one hand near that Rebar, the other in his pocket.
We had never met, never seen each other before, we never said a word, or eyes were doing the talking.
Second fellow came in the enter door, and just stood there, eyeing the Cashier.
All this time the folks shopping shopped, the ones in line just huffed, puffed and griped. None of these folks were aware of anything, but themselves, being on cell-phones “Yes I am stuck in long line at checkout; I will be hurrying as to not be late…no you cannot have that toy…one kid crying, needs to eat and nap …”
Nobody was aware of anything until “Be real easy to rob you folks…”
Was spoken by the second fellow to enter – you could have heard a pin drop.
Second person to enter – well in explicit terms he said how much he liked what he saw in the blue jeans and logo T-shirt the young female checker was wearing.
All this time I had slowly slinked back and using the Fridge with sodas, between me and both gentlemen; that had entered, had casually appeared to be shopping for baby items.
The checker’s lane butts up to “cubby hole” with all the baby items. There is a shelf about 5’ high, I am 6’ it is metal, and lined with diapers and formulas
We three strangers had been positioning ourselves; we had spread out, and finding something for concealment, and hopefully some kind of cover.
Imagine a clock dial Checker at 9 o’clock, suspicious person #1 at 11 o’clock, suspicious person #2 at 1 o’clock.
Bricklayer positioned far left of 9 o’clock using fridge of sodas as concealment/ cover. He could see suspicious folks and Plumber. Plumber was using the Freezer as cover at 3 o’clock. Plumber had back to freezer and unknown, unseen to suspicious folks.
I was at 10 o’clock, only the Bricklayer knew where I had ended up – my eyes had said my intentions, his eyes had replied understanding.
I noticed away from suspicious persons eyes, the checker has a pair of scissors, and her right hand was on them, her left on the cash register.
Now when the intentions of explicit sex were verbalized, not everyone heard it, the ones up front woke up from a daze and a few left out the front and past the suspicious person – he just grinned. He was on something, had to be the way he acted. His eyes darting, hands in his light jacket pockets.
Everyone else was oblivious to anything – except how long the line was and such.
Suspicious person #2 had on a jacket as well, his right hand near his right rear pocket.
An ornament had been dropped, and we all know how these sound when they hit a linoleum floor.
Yes I drew my CCW and went to low ready and was scanning like crazy.
I spoke from concealment.
“Folks, we are not going to have a problem here. Shoppers – head to the back where there is a break room and exit. Leave your items in buggies, or put on the floor. Pick up little kids and walk cool like you would in a fire drill”
They ran, made frantic, panic sounds and ran…sigh…
“Gentleman, I do not want trouble, I do want to see hands NOW! Understand I am not alone and you are covered quite well!!”
“Young lady, please exit your checkout area towards the baby goods section, slowly and as cool as can”.
She came around with scissors in hand, she had that look of wanting to cry and wanting to survive, she did not blink an eye when she saw my CCW. Finger to my mouth, she nodded, I pulled her down, and motioned for her to crawl an area on the floor I felt would give best cover. She pulled her cell phone, I nodded okay and she made a call.
I had been moving and speaking , now instead of being where I would have had to shoot weak-handed to ~7 yards, I was now where I could use strong hand out to ~ 12 yards on Suspicious person #2 if need be.
Eternity passed in a matter of seconds, the two suspicious folks left and I heard and felt the car out front pull away.
Ever seen young ladies totally get pissed? I have, she earned the right to do so. I asked if she was all right, she was doing okay. I had concealed my weapon and explained to her, “I know, my parents have CCW, I didn’t see a thing, it totally <expletive> sucks I have to wait until age 21”.
Now the other two gents, the bricklayer and plumber, well we didn’t have to say a word. We never mentioned guns or CCW. I / we have no idea what in fact we may have had.
Finally, other employees show up, as do Police. Bricklayer said the car had no plates; it was “customized” so that description was given.
The officer was an older one; I had seen him before years ago on a private range. He did not ask about CCW nor did he inquire if any us were CCW-ing or asked to see permits.
The Shoppers, oh some did leave out the exit, seems one had enough sense to call someone in Sheriff’s office she knew on his private cell line, lived not too far away. Seems she had a bad experience with 911 and well, met this Deputy, and just started calling direct for assistance. City County, state numbers filed in phone, in wallet and handy at home.
This Deputy showed up in plain clothes, being off today. I had seen him before as well; he let the City Officer handle matters, just assisted and listened, called his dept in regard to vehicle and descriptions of suspicious folks.
Shoppers were “inconvenienced”, they were sure to let the Manager know and the other employees that showed up. It would be better if they got a discount or something…
Now sometimes one gets lucky, the mirror in the corner that usually looks down into where I was, was not there. I looked for it; all I saw was the mount. Seems it had just fallen one night and set off the alarms in the middle of the night. The new one was supposed to be put up after hours tonight or tomorrow night.
Yes I drew a CCW, I was in a cubby hole all my lonesome, I felt it best to be ready in the event matters went south. The most vulnerable person to be hit by a bullet was the checker, there is that part about her being escorted out against her will.
Do not ask me why I spoke when I did, or why I said what I did. At the time my mind was going ninety miles an hour, and the whole scene was in slow motion. My gut was screaming at me and my color code had become flashing bright red.
I took an action, right, wrong – I took this one. It didn’t seem out of line according to the officers, plumber or bricklayer. In fact the plumber was just about to say something as he too was completely out of view of the suspicious persons.
The checker took the rest of the day off. Most likely she will not be coming back. She is going to see if she can do something else part time to make some money, she still lives at home, and attends college elsewhere.
Bricklayer, Plumber and I parted. We did not say a lot to each other or the officers, just answered questions, exchanged information to them. Hard to explain this “knowing” without words, if you have been there – you understand.
I am doing okay. As typical for me, this all hits later on. I took a longer route home, took a side road out and beat the crap out of a tree with branches, seemed to be what I needed at the time. Just felt like hitting something and having something break.
Probably left out some details, probably messed up some grammar or spelling – buy I do that anyway. Yes I left out some personal information as it is not relevant, and I do respect the privacy of some folks.
Now I need to get my focus back on studying for my last final.
This just allows me to vent, debrief, and maybe somewhere in all this garbled post is something someone can use. I probably made some errors – right now, I have to put these aside until I am receptive enough to comprehend. I seem to have “dropped” this and for now just want to study…best can.
CRSam said it best One never knows the where or when of next encounter
Well, all I was doing was just being a regular guy wanting to run in – run out with some needed items. I do not go looking for trouble, I am one that avoids persons, places, and playgrounds, - so as to NOT get into serious trouble.
Interesting- the things that go thru your mind at times like these. Diapers; yes diapers. See on a few places I have shot, or still do, Kimberly Clark has these bails of waste from manufacturing. Kimberly Clark makes diapers and other “paper products”. These bails are used for safe backstops. Yes they really will stop a bullet. Handgun bullets to shotgun slugs to various centerfire from rifles. Big bails stopping bullets and I have this run thru my brain as I take note the Disposable Diapers are about 3 deep on a shelf.
Note to self: some day shoot a package of diapers just to satisfy a curiosity, need to shoot, one, two and three ‘deep”…I gotta know how these do with a thin metal back shelf.
Just remembered – my backstops, #1 at the angle I was would have been –“dicey”. Storefront is glass with brick about waist high, shopping buggies. I would have gone for a below waist shot, I would have had to do this weak-handed at one time. If I missed, had to miss low and have the buggies and brick.
#2, well he was pacing about 3 steps back and forth, behind him was the part of the store all brick, shelving, and that other check out counter.
I will say if #2 had come into store, past the freezer where Plumber was, Plumber was in a great position to disarm and stop an immediate threat.
Regards,
Steve
See why I want to leave this big city, and area? Not that this kind of thing does occur in smaller areas, less populated, just I do not like the odds, not at all. Too many matters in too small a time frame - my gut is speaking to me. Telling me to leave, hence the reason some of you folks have been contacted for ideas and input.
