Armed robbery at Waco gun shop

[DigMe]

Saw this in the local police report. I've never been to this particular gun shop because after having a convo once with this guy on the phone he seemed like your stereotypical curmudgeon gunshop guy.

Anyway, here's the report:

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/07/22/20050722wacpolicereport.html

Area police report

By Peter Walker Tribune-Herald staff writer

Friday, July 22, 2005

Waco police were searching for three armed men who robbed a gun store Thursday.

The robbery occurred just after 1 p.m. at Guns R Us at 2111 La Salle Ave. Police arrested one juvenile suspect at the scene, but three men escaped with numerous handguns.

The four suspects entered the store and began asking store owner Gary Hammond about purchasing handguns, Hammond said.

While Hammond talked to two of the men, the others grabbed a number of handguns and ran out the door, followed by the other men.

Hammond was able to stop one of the suspects, a juvenile, and held him until police arrived. The others fled north on La Salle in a light-colored Ford pickup truck, Hammond said.

"They did shoot at me from across the street," Hammond said.

Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson said the fleeing robbers fired one shot, but it was unclear if it was aimed at Hammond or into the air. No one was injured.

The truck was later recovered at the Delta Inn along Interstate 35 in Bellmead, police said.

Bellmead and Waco police, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety and a helicopter, searched for the three men near the motel, but they were not found.

Hammond said he realized the irony of robbing a gun store.

"It's a very bad idea," he said.

brad cook

 

[mec]

I'd have know about that too if I read past the obituaries on accesswaco. I may have been in there one time myself-don't remember. I do stay away from grumpy old curfartgeons as much as possible though.

 

[Smoke]

Never heard of the place ...but considering the neighboorhood, I'm, not surprised.

Smoke

 

[Zrex]

Another +1 on the "I've heard of it, but never been there" list. I try to avoid that part of town when I can. I do business with Brazos Valley John Deere over there, but thats about it. Seems like there was a bar a few blocks up from there, Sues #2, that used to have a stabbing or a shooting about once a month.

 

[mec]

Long standing tradition on LaSalle. Used to be the Waco Drive In Theater there. It's now a flee market. There was a naked strip beer joint about 150 yards from the entrance to the drive in and as you waited for the cars to advance, you could see the cellulite rippling on the exotic dancers as they arrived at work. -The Showtime Lounge, that was it.

 

[Jamie B]

I never understand the stupidity of robbing a gun store.

It is like swimming with sharks with a suit made of meat.

Like getting in a cage of angry gorillas smeared with banannas.

Like going unarmed to a fight with a bear.

Jamie

 

[Standing Wolf]

Like announcing you're a representative of the Democratic (sic) party and expecting America to vote for you.

 

[taliv]

zing

 

[1 old 0311]

What I have seen a few times around here is the perps steal a truck and crash it through the front door at night. You can load a lot of goodies in 4-5 minutes.

Kevin

 

[GW]

It would seem these fellows were succesful in their robbery, as no arrests have been made. So perhaps they knew this shop was an easy target
Not all of the gun shops have employees armed to the teeth.

 

[DMF]

I never understand the stupidity of robbing a gun store.

While I agree it's stupid, it still happens. Also, because the knuckleheads realize the owners/employees may be armed sometimes they come in shooting. There have been many gunshops robbed where the badguys start by executing the employees. Horrible stuff.

 

[mec]

"What I have seen a few times around here is the perps steal a truck and crash it through the front "

We had a rash of that in Waco a decade or so ago. The gunshops all imbedded posts in front of the doors to stop it.

 

[DigMe]

Update

3 down 1 to go:

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Waco police have arrested two more suspects in connection with last week's gun-store robbery.

Police arrested Booker Sterling, 18, of Waco, on a charge of aggravated robbery Sunday night as he was driving in West Waco.

Sterling and three other people allegedly robbed Guns R Us at 2111 La Salle Ave. Thursday afternoon, said Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson. The suspects fled with several stolen handguns and fired one shot into the air as they left, he said.

The Ford pickup truck they fled in was recovered a short time later at the Delta Inn along Interstate 35 in Bellmead.

Police arrested a juvenile suspect in connection with the robbery early Monday morning in Bellmead, Anderson said. Another juvenile was arrested at the scene Thursday while being held at gunpoint by the store's owner, Anderson said.

Police have not recovered the handguns stolen in the robbery, Anderson said.

Police are still seeking Dameon Laws, of Waco, in connection with the incident, Anderson said. Police obtained a warrant for his arrest Friday.

A McLennan County Jail spokeswoman said Sterling was being held Monday in lieu of $25,000.

brad cook

 

[berettashotgun]

25k for bond :banghead: ; that's it? Where is the deterrence??