Fairbanks, Alaska

From the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner of February 9, 2006

Teens try to rob gun store

Three teenagers are in jail after the owner of Alaskan Guns and Ammo withstood a blow to the head Wednesday afternoon and pulled a gun on his assailants, according to Fairbanks police.

One of the would-be robbers struck store owner Stevan Smith on the back of the head with a crowbar. Smith said he thwarted the robbers when he pulled a gun. One robber fled and Smith said he held the other two at gunpoint until police arrived.

"As soon as I got the gun out, the situation changed dramatically," the 62-year-old said.

Smith sustained a minor injury from the crowbar but declined medical attention, saying he felt OK. He later learned that two of the suspects also had guns.

The incident happened about 2 p.m., shortly after the three boys entered the store at 308 Sixth Ave. and began looking around.

"They were just asking questions about hunting," Smith said.

One of the youths had been in the store before. Otherwise, Smith was not acquainted with them.

Their behavior seemed suspicious, Smith said, but he declined to elaborate. As soon as Smith turned his back on one of them, he was struck with what felt like a hammer, he said.

"He hit me hard," Smith said.

The proprietor almost fell to the ground but kept his composure. Then the tables turned.

"Once I pulled my gun out," Smith said, "he bolted. The other two were trapped. They couldn't get out. I just told them to stay and face the wall until police arrived."

Two of the youths, ages 16 and 17, face charges of first-degree robbery. The third teenager, arrested later at his home about eight blocks from the gun store, faces charges of first-degree robbery and third-degree assault, Fairbanks police Sgt. Eric Jewkes said. Jewkes said the youth with the crowbar carried a firearm at some point but "stashed" it inside the gun store. One of the two who were held at gunpoint by Smith also had a gun.