Texas: Robbery suspect dies after getting shot, run over

Harris County, Texas

From the Houston Chronicle of March 29, 2009

Robbery suspect dies after getting shot, run over

A man allegedly attempting to rob a northwest Harris County cell phone store died after he was shot by the business owner and then hit by a car as he attempted to flee, authorities said.

Deputies answered a call around 6:15 p.m. Saturday at a cell phone store in the 5200 block of Barker Cypress, where they learned that two armed men dressed in black allegedly attempted to rob it, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. John Legg.

The store owner produced his own handgun and the alleged robbers fled the business, Legg said.

As the men ran into the parking lot, the store owner chased them. One of the men fled the scene in a 90s model red Ford Taurus, while the other man stopped and turned toward the store owner, Legg said. “At that time, the owner of the store fired several shots towards the suspect, hitting him once,” Legg said.

However, the alleged robber continued to run through the parking lot and attempted to run across Barker Cypress, where he was hit by a car. The man, whose identity has not been released, collapsed and died, Legg said.

No charges have been filed against the store owner and Legg said the case will likely be referred to a grand jury.

Deputies are searching for the second suspect who fled. Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Spokane Home Invader Shot

Spokane, Washington

From the March 30, 2009 Spokesman-Review:

A resident trying to protect himself during a home invasion shot and seriously wounded one of two invaders early Monday.

Spokane police said the man underwent surgery at a Spokane hospital for two handgun wounds to his abdomen, and the other suspect ran and remained at large Monday afternoon.

A woman living at the home in the 4100 block of East 16th Avenue called 911 about 2 a.m., reporting that two men had entered the house and that her male roommate was confronting them in another room. The call came in about the same time the roommate fired shots in the other room, said Officer Tim Moses, police spokesman.

Both of the suspects were armed, police said.

Police have been unable to provide a full description of the two suspects, both in their 20s.

Moses said police detectives plan to interview the injured man to learn more about the other suspect and the reason for the confrontation. The home where the shooting occurred was built about 2002 and, according to county records, is owned by a Chattaroy couple.

College students are renting the house, and they had not had any previous problems, the owner said.

UPDATE: A bit more detail about the suspects from the April 1, 2009 Spokane Spokesman-Review:

In 2002, Butler was sentenced to more than eight years in prison for a bank robbery that resulted in federal charges against a California gang member who worked with Butler and another man, according to previously public reports.

It’s unclear how long Butler was in prison in connection with the bank robbery. But records show he was sentenced in Kootenai County in early March to 10 days in jail or 32 hours in a county work program on one count of frequenting a home where a controlled substance is used.

Taylor, the other suspect, has criminal convictions dating back to 1996 in Pierce County, including charges of second-degree theft, third-degree assault, attempting to elude, and several drug charges. He served 10 days in jail in December after pleading guilty to escape from community custody, records show.

Illinois: Cal City pizza delivery man scares off would-be robbers

Calimut City, Illinois

From The Times of March 30, 2009

Cal City pizza delivery man scares off would-be robbers

Calumet City Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery in the 100 block of Webb Street at 11:24 p.m. on Sunday.

Three men attempted to rob a pizza delivery man at gunpoint, Calumet City Police Commander Dan Zorzi said.

"(The victim) saw these guys approaching and got nervous," he said. "When they came up and pulled a gun, he pretended he had a gun, and they took off."

The suspects fled on foot and the victim drove off in his truck and flagged down Hammond Police at 157th Street and State Line Road, Zorzi said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Calumet City Police Department at (708) 868-2500.

Oklahoma: Man fends off knife-wielding intruder during home invasion

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

From KFOR of March 27, 2009

Man fends off knife-wielding intruder during home invasion

A Metro man takes on a man with a knife and wins. Maurice Johnson was catching up on some sleep Thursday afternoon when his burglar alarm sounds. He awakes to a man in his house in the 4300 block of North Blackwelder.

"I see a guy in a big black jacket holding a knife about that size and he tells me basically turn the alarm off and give me money."

Johnson, keeping his wits about him, tells the man to follow him to the back bedroom where there may be some cash.

The suspect keeps the knife held tightly against Johnson as they walk through the house.

Johnson says he pretends to rifle through his drawer to get money but got his gun instead and fires a shot at the suspect.

The suspect takes off immediately. No word on if the suspect was hit.

South Carolina: Couple Shoots, Stabs Intruder

Spartanburg, South Carolina

From WYFF of March 26, 2009

Couple Shoots, Stabs Intruder

Deputies said a man who attempted to rob a Spartanburg couple ended up shot, stabbed and arrested.

Spartanburg County deputies responded to a call of an attempted robbery at a home on West Croft Circle.

Travis Morrow, who lives in the house, and his girlfriend, Aiyetoro Ross, told deputies two men tried to rob them.

Morrow said as he struggled to disarm one of the men, the gun discharged, and hit the suspect. Ross grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed the suspect. Both of the robbery suspects then ran from the house.

Deputies were later called to Mary Black Hospital where man had come into the Emergency Room suffering from a gunshot injury and a stab wound.

The injured man was identified as 20-year-old Ronald Deshawn Rice, of Spartanburg. Rice is charged with one count of attempted armed robbery and two counts of assault with intent to kill.

The second suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Ryan Dwight Ross of Pacolet, SC. He is also charged with one count of attempted armed robbery and two counts of assault with intent to kill.

Ohio: Would-Be Robber Ends Up As Shooting Victim

Mt. Auburn, Ohio

From WCPO of March 24, 2009

Would-Be Robber Ends Up As Shooting Victim

A would-be thief ended up in the hospital with a gunshot wound after a failed robbery attempt in Mt. Auburn overnight.

Police say the would-be robber, 20-year-old Anthony Walker of Corryville, approached two men at a home in the 120 block of Malvern Place and threatened them with a gun.

One of the men, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, reportedly shot Walker during the altercation.

Both of the intended victims then drove to the Cincinnati Police District One station and reported the incident.

Rescue crews transported Walker to University Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the chest. He is now facing charges of aggravated robbery.

Arkansas: LR Man Defends Wife, Wounds Would-Be Robber

Little Rock, Arkansas

From Today's THV of March 24, 2009

LR Man Defends Wife, Wounds Would-Be Robber

A trip to Wal-Mart on Cantrell Road ended in a violent struggle for a Little Rock couple.

It happened around 11:20 p.m. Monday night in a Wal-Mart parking lot off Cantrell Rd and Chenal Parkway.

Police say the couple tried to get away from the man, but when it didn't work, they took action.

Monday night, Jamie Bitely left the store and walked into what police say was a couple turning the tables on a would-be robber.

"The first thing I heard was the first gun shot and that's when I turned to see what was going on," says Bitely.

"That's when I saw the man who was apparently the victim and I seen him fire the his fire arm [SIC] a couple more times at that time that's when I laid down on the ground until the shots stop," says Bitely.

According to the police report, a husband and wife were unloading groceries into their Jeep when a man wearing a wig and cap allegedly confronted them, pointing a gun. At that point, the report says the suspect said "'This is a robbery'" and went after the woman's purse.

Police say the suspect allegedly hit the woman and ripped the bag from the woman's arm. Police say that's when her husband took action.

Sgt. Cassandra Davis says the husband fired at Jonathan Terry, hitting him in the rear end.

"The husband than retrieved his own personal weapon. He did ask the suspect to release his wife and the purse. The suspect refused," says Sgt. Davis.

Police say Terry jumped into a waiting car and his friends, Sherry Battle and Tequila Rice drove him to UAMS. "They were at the hospital and our officers took those individuals into custody also," explains Sgt. Davis.

All three are facing Aggravated Robbery Charges. This news put some witnesses like David Rollins only slightly at ease. "I'm a little bit more scared going to Wal-Mart late at night," says Rollins.

Police say Battles and Rice fought with officers and are also facing battery charges.

Today's THV has the couple's names, but since they haven't been charged with a crime, we've decided not to mention them to protect their privacy.