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Robber's fake gun doesn't fool manager
10-17-03
By AMY WOLFFORD, Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- Ron Simpson knows guns -- and instantly knew the one in front of him Wednesday night was a phony.
Sure, the gun in the hands of the would-be robber at Action Video at 1058 Alamance Church Road had the look of a 9 mm, but Simpson, the manager, said he was "95 percent sure" the muzzle was too small to project a bullet.
"That is not a real gun," Simpson told the robber. "This is a real gun," he said, pulling a .25-caliber derringer from his front-right jeans pocket.
Seconds earlier, the robber had thrown a paper bag on the counter and pulled his version of a gun from his waistband. When Simpson threatened to shoot, the man pulled a rack of gummy bears in front of him for protection.
"Like that's going to stop the bullet," said Simpson, a Vietnam veteran and gun aficionado who carries a concealed-gun permit.
Simpson picked up a cordless phone, dialed 911 and followed the robber outside. The fearful criminal stayed about a minute and ran before police arrived.
Simpson described the robber as a 200-pound black man who appeared to be in his 40s. He was wearing sunglasses, a blue toboggan, dark pants and a gray velour sweat shirt that zipped at the neck. He was last seen running south behind businesses on Liberty Road. Greensboro police continue to investigate.
Simpson carries the gun for protection and admits he's told employees not to risk their lives by fighting robbers. But to him, it was personal.
"Police don't suggest this, I know. But this is me. I'd do it again," he said.
Contact Amy Wolfford at 373-7008 or [email protected]
See details of all the day's news in tomorrow's News & Record
10-17-03
By AMY WOLFFORD, Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- Ron Simpson knows guns -- and instantly knew the one in front of him Wednesday night was a phony.
Sure, the gun in the hands of the would-be robber at Action Video at 1058 Alamance Church Road had the look of a 9 mm, but Simpson, the manager, said he was "95 percent sure" the muzzle was too small to project a bullet.
"That is not a real gun," Simpson told the robber. "This is a real gun," he said, pulling a .25-caliber derringer from his front-right jeans pocket.
Seconds earlier, the robber had thrown a paper bag on the counter and pulled his version of a gun from his waistband. When Simpson threatened to shoot, the man pulled a rack of gummy bears in front of him for protection.
"Like that's going to stop the bullet," said Simpson, a Vietnam veteran and gun aficionado who carries a concealed-gun permit.
Simpson picked up a cordless phone, dialed 911 and followed the robber outside. The fearful criminal stayed about a minute and ran before police arrived.
Simpson described the robber as a 200-pound black man who appeared to be in his 40s. He was wearing sunglasses, a blue toboggan, dark pants and a gray velour sweat shirt that zipped at the neck. He was last seen running south behind businesses on Liberty Road. Greensboro police continue to investigate.
Simpson carries the gun for protection and admits he's told employees not to risk their lives by fighting robbers. But to him, it was personal.
"Police don't suggest this, I know. But this is me. I'd do it again," he said.
Contact Amy Wolfford at 373-7008 or [email protected]
See details of all the day's news in tomorrow's News & Record