Savannah, Georgia

From the Savannah Morning News of May 31, 2005

Suspect wounded in armed robbery attempt

Wounded man is dropped off at Memorial; clerk is unharmed.

Gunfire filled a westside Savannah clothing store Tuesday afternoon as the cashier fired back during what appeared to be an attempted armed robbery, police said.

Just before 1 p.m., three black males walked into Top of the Line Fashions and Accessories at 2903 W. Bay St., Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police spokesman Bucky Burnsed said.

The men ordered the cashier to the ground and stole his wallet, according to Joseph W. Woods, who owns Lil Chick at 2901 W. Bay St.

The suspects then started filling bags with clothing and other items, Woods said.

The cashier got up and one of the robbers started shooting, Woods said. Then the cashier fired back.

"The attendant shot back in self defense," Woods said.

Burnsed said he was unsure if the suspects fired at the cashier, but said that one of the three men did have a weapon.

"The clerk apparently fired at the suspects and one was wounded," Burnsed said. "Other than that, I don't know what transpired in the store."

The cashier was not injured, police said.

The three suspects ran out of the store and down Albion Street. They climbed into a rust-colored car and drove off, Burnsed said. Burnsed said he was unsure if the suspects took anything.

A short time later, a rust-colored car pulled up in front of Memorial Health University Medical Center's emergency room and dropped off a man suffering from a gunshot wound, Burnsed said.

The car then drove off.

Police questioned the cashier Tuesday afternoon. No charges were filed.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the wounded robber was still being treated at Memorial's trauma unit, Burnsed said. The other two men were still at large.
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Woods said he would have done exactly the same thing as the cashier: fire back.

In the 30-plus years Woods has owned Lil Chick, he's been the victim of an armed robbery twice. He since has installed security cameras, barbed wire and large gates around the doors of his business. The only contact customers have with employees is through a walk-up window.

Woods also carries a gun at all times, he said.

He wouldn't have to take such measures if there were more police on the westside, Woods said.

Woods said he doesn't want to turn out like the other businesses in the neighborhood.

Church's Fried Chicken closed after manager Sean Abraham was shot and killed during an armed robbery in February 2004.

"This happens all the time over here. This is a regular thing," Woods said. "And only two police officers are assigned to the westside."