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Recent string of robberies

spyderdude

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
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240
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Anchorage, Alaska, USA
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I was reading yesterday's newspaper and came across an article about an armed robber that was going around robbing hotels, movie theaters, gas stations, and pull tab parlors. He has done so since April 13th, and gotten away with 15 robberies, and was caught when he attempted his 16th. At first he would rob businesses that were virtually empty, but ended up getting bold and started robbing places that still had customers. It makes me wonder why in all those places, there wasn't a single law abiding citizen equipped with equal force to stop him sooner, but am glad he was caught. I am so glad I wasn't in any of the places he was at. :shock: I feel this is even more of a reason to carry all the time. Sometimes I don't feel like carrying, but hearing stories like this is a good reminder to always do so whenever possible.
 

Flintlock

Regular Member
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May 26, 2006
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1,224
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Alaska, USA
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spyderdude wrote:
I was reading yesterday's newspaper and came across an article about an armed robber that was going around robbing hotels, movie theaters, gas stations, and pull tab parlors. He has done so since April 13th, and gotten away with 15 robberies, and was caught when he attempted his 16th. At first he would rob businesses that were virtually empty, but ended up getting bold and started robbing places that still had customers. It makes me wonder why in all those places, there wasn't a single law abiding citizen equipped with equal force to stop him sooner, but am glad he was caught. I am so glad I wasn't in any of the places he was at. :shock: I feel this is even more of a reason to carry all the time. Sometimes I don't feel like carrying, but hearing stories like this is a good reminder to always do so whenever possible.
I was going to post those stories, it's just unbelievable. I am glad they finally caught him. If you look at that Crime Map thread I posted, there are robberies and burglariesin townevery day. Carry always.. ;)
 

Flintlock

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From KTUU News: Police Issue Robbery Warning

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=8342223


by Maria Downey
Saturday, May 17, 2008


A series of armed robberies in the past month is sparking a warning by the Anchorage Police Department.

It's a reminder that employers should discuss the issue with workers so they know what to do and what not to do during an armed heist.

Police say multiple businesses have been robbed at gunpoint in the past month by Jelani McCall, 28, who was arraigned Saturday.

Three Rippie World locations were hit in all, some multiple times. Manager Mac Meiners says this armed robber really had him concerned.

He actually brandished a gun and pointed it at an employee's head, Meiners said.

McCall is accused of about 17 hits in about a four-week time span, and though the suspect is in custody, police want to warn potential victims how to survive an armed heist and provide tips on how to help them catch the thief.

"We don't want to see anyone get hurt, and we want to make sure none of our employees, or patrons, are endangered in any way," Meiners said.

"To prevent injury during a robbery, certainly give the robber what they want," said APD Crime Prevention Specialist Anita Shell. "Usually a robbery is over within about two minutes. They come in, they get what they want, and they leave."

The safety tips are available through APD's crime prevention program.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Absolutely nothing at all said about defending yourself or your business. :cuss:
 

spyderdude

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Anchorage, Alaska, USA
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Giving the robbers what they want is one thing, having them take employees and customers to the back is another. I can agree with giving up the cash and whatever else, all those items are replaceable, but lives are priceless. Not all robberies go down the way they say "give them what they want and they'll leave." I've heard too many stories about employees complying with demands, and still end up getting shot or stabbed, or beaten. What a sad world we live in today! Of course the police doesn't WANT to see anyone get hurt, but just because that's what they want, doesn't always mean that's what they're going to get. :cuss:
 

Rabid SA-XD

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Feb 19, 2008
Messages
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Chugiak, Alaska, USA
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I used to carry in work all the time, kept it in my desk, untill the boss/owner found out, and asked me not to bring it in anymore, so it stays in the truck. I think its not very smart, considering the ammount of traffic, and no security in my place of bussiness (retail store). especially with guys like that running around
 

murphyslaw

State Researcher
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
358
Location
Anchorage, Alaska, USA
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I need to find a pocket pistol. with my line of work I can not OC and its almost impossible to CC with out something like a smartcarry. at that point a smaller pistol would be better. I am always going in and out of secure areas thou as well. spend lots fo time on base and the airport rail yards and sensitive construction sites so it makes carrying hard.
 

Flintlock

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Police are hitting the streets on foot and bikepatrols for the summer.

http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=8376666


by Leyla Santiago
Saturday, May 24, 2008


Anchorage police are getting back to the basics, patrolling the streets of downtown on foot. This summer is the first time in several years Anchorage police have taken on foot patrols, but lots of business owners are happy it's finally happening.

It's the second weekend they've patrolled on foot, and they plan to continue throughout the summer from early morning to early evening.

"Just getting our face out there with people and letting them realize that we're out there, it gives them a feeling of more secure," said Officer John Daly.

For Officers Daly and Kevin Ehm, the downtown stroll includes multiple stops, some more spontaneous than others.

The tourists seem to like the duo, and so do the locals. Especially the downtown vendors like Stephanie Burgoon, who sells fudge.

"These guys are hilarious," she said. "They were cracking jokes and just trying stuff. It's just nice to have them around, it makes you feel a little bit safer knowing that they guys are within shouting distance."

While the two are quick to admit that the foot patrols are a pretty sweet gig, they know it's more than just laughs and jokes. They say their presence avoids problems.

"Having high end jewelry products like this, having a visible police presence, helps keep anybody who might think about doing a smash and grab, they might think, 'Well OK, there's cops out right on the street,'" said jeweler John Watkins at the Alaska Mint.

The pairis keeping Anchorage safe, one step at a time.

"We're trying to get out there put our best foot forward," Daly said.

Next weekend, Anchorage police will also have bike patrols downtown.
 

spyderdude

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Oct 1, 2006
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Anchorage, Alaska, USA
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That is good to hear APD is stepping up their patrol efforts, but that won't stop me from exercising my right to carry. I rarely ever go downtown anyway, and most of the major crimes seem to happen out towards the Dimond area, but anything can happen anywhere.

My particular line of work is unarmed security, but in a couple years hope to go armed as a patrol officer. I was hoping to go armed, but my agency only allows patrol officers to be armed, and you have to be 25 years of age for auto insurance reasons.
 
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