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ABC employees disarm, detain robber
Two employees of a South Richmond liquor store disarmed and detained a handgun-toting robber, leading to one man being arrested and authorities expressing thanks that no one was hurt despite the gun discharging.
"We're very fortunate this incident turned out the way it did," Richmond police Capt. David L. Martin said of Wednesday night's foiled robbery of the ABC store at 618 W. Southside Plaza.
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control offered a similar sentiment, noting that its store employees are trained to cooperate fully with robbers.
"The safety of our employees and customers is our primary concern," department spokesman Philip Bogenberger said, adding that ABC officials were grateful no one was injured and that Richmond police were nearby at the time.
Qaiyim Amin El Shabazz, 52
Qaiyim Amin El Shabazz, 52, of the 3000 block of Lawson Street in South Richmond -- a few blocks east of the store -- was being held yesterday on a robbery charge. His alleged accomplice, who was stationed outside the store's front door, escaped.
Martin said a store manager and a clerk were on duty when El Shabazz walked into the store at 5:50 p.m., went to the cash register, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the safe.
While one employee was trying to open the safe, the other noticed the gunman didn't have what appeared to be a firm grip on the handgun, so the employee rushed him, a struggle ensued and the gun discharged once, Martin said. No one was struck.
The second employee joined in, and the two got the gun away and slammed El Shabazz to the floor.
Martin said the lookout, who was wearing a mask, came in to check on the progress of the robbery, saw his accomplice disarmed and pinned to the floor, and took off running.
The two employees still had El Shabazz on the floor when police arrived, Martin said.
Martin stressed that police do not advocate trying to disarm robbers.
"Of course we do not recommend that businesses or employees or anyone intervene in that manner, because so many things can go wrong," he said.
Anyone with information about the second suspect can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (804) 780-1000.
Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com
ABC employees disarm, detain robber
Two employees of a South Richmond liquor store disarmed and detained a handgun-toting robber, leading to one man being arrested and authorities expressing thanks that no one was hurt despite the gun discharging.
"We're very fortunate this incident turned out the way it did," Richmond police Capt. David L. Martin said of Wednesday night's foiled robbery of the ABC store at 618 W. Southside Plaza.
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control offered a similar sentiment, noting that its store employees are trained to cooperate fully with robbers.
"The safety of our employees and customers is our primary concern," department spokesman Philip Bogenberger said, adding that ABC officials were grateful no one was injured and that Richmond police were nearby at the time.
Qaiyim Amin El Shabazz, 52
Qaiyim Amin El Shabazz, 52, of the 3000 block of Lawson Street in South Richmond -- a few blocks east of the store -- was being held yesterday on a robbery charge. His alleged accomplice, who was stationed outside the store's front door, escaped.
Martin said a store manager and a clerk were on duty when El Shabazz walked into the store at 5:50 p.m., went to the cash register, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the safe.
While one employee was trying to open the safe, the other noticed the gunman didn't have what appeared to be a firm grip on the handgun, so the employee rushed him, a struggle ensued and the gun discharged once, Martin said. No one was struck.
The second employee joined in, and the two got the gun away and slammed El Shabazz to the floor.
Martin said the lookout, who was wearing a mask, came in to check on the progress of the robbery, saw his accomplice disarmed and pinned to the floor, and took off running.
The two employees still had El Shabazz on the floor when police arrived, Martin said.
Martin stressed that police do not advocate trying to disarm robbers.
"Of course we do not recommend that businesses or employees or anyone intervene in that manner, because so many things can go wrong," he said.
Anyone with information about the second suspect can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (804) 780-1000.
Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com
