Category: Feel Good Stories

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

A suspected armed robber has reportedly been hospitalized after a plainclothes Philadelphia Police officer shot the suspect Tuesday morning in West Philadelphia, according to police and media reports.

The shooting occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on the 4900 block of Walnut Street after the officer followed a vehicle suspected to be involved in a the robbery of deli at about 9 a.m. Tuesday, CBS Philadelphia reports.

That vehicle eventually crashed and when the officer approached the driver and identified himself as an officer, police say the suspect made a gesture toward his waist.

That’s when the officer fired his service weapon at the driver, striking him in the chest.

According to NBC10, the suspect was rushed to a hospital and listed in critical condition.

An update to yesterday’s story from Wilmington, North Carolina;

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office has identified a man who was shot and killed during a home invasion early Sunday morning.

Hakim Hanifah, 31, of Wilmington, died in the incident, a Tuesday afternoon news release said. Lt. Jerry Brewer said Hanifah was a validated gang member.

According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, several men entered a home on Silverlake Road around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

The homeowner woke up and gunfire ensued between the homeowner and the suspects, according to the NHCSO.

According to Brewer, Hanifah was shot and killed by the homeowner.

From Spokane, Washington;

According to Spokane Police Chief, Craig Meidl, a call came in at about 5:30 Tuesday morning of an armed man robbing the Safeway with a gun.

Witnesses followed the man and say at least one shot was fired.

Spokane police tracked the suspect to Sharp & Madison where they blocked in his vehicle, preventing him from driving away.

That’s when the suspect got out and began to run. One officer fired his weapon, hitting the suspect. Officers attempted first aid, but the man died on the scene.

From Akron, Ohio;

Akron police said the suspect, who is a known customer, entered the building and waved what appeared to be a rifle above his head. The man,

identified as Jeffrey Derringer, told everyone to get on the floor, police said. He wanted the cash register open.

One employee ran and called police. That’s when a second employee realized the gun was fake, ran around the counter and confronted Derringer, with the help of three customers.

Derringer ran from the store, but was caught by workers and witnesses. He was detained until police arrived.

The 48-year-old Akron man was charged with aggravated robbery and taken to the Summit County Jail.

According to US News and World Report, Derringer’s rifle was fashioned from pieces of furniture.

Police say the man had a pole, a fake scope, a spring and two table legs fastened together to look like a rifle.

NYPD is looking for another crook, dubbed “Super Genius” who didn’t get his Red Ryder Rifle for Christmas;

At 2:40 a.m. on Dec. 21, law enforcement sources said, the crook entered a convenience store located at 78-21 Atlantic Ave. Once inside, the suspect approached the 35-year-old employee, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm and demanded money.

Authorities said the clerk then got into a physical altercation with the crook, during which the employee grabbed the weapon. The worker later told police that the weapon felt like plastic, and he believed it was fake.

Following the struggle, authorities said, the suspect fled the store empty-handed and was last seen heading westbound on Atlantic Avenue. The clerk was not injured.

From Wilmington, North Carolina;

Authorities say a homeowner shot and killed one of several men who broke into his North Carolina home.

New Hanover County deputies said the homeowner woke up around 2:30 a.m. Sunday to the men entering his home.

Investigators say the homeowner and the men started shooting at each other, and one of the suspects was fatally wounded.

Deputies said in a statement that the shooting remains under investigation.

Authorities did not identify the people involved.

From Stockton, California;

Joshua Keamohuli, 27, and Alicia Agundez, 34, were arrested on charges including assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, home invasion robbery and numerous weapon charges, deputies said.

The home invasion robbery happened early Saturday morning in the 11000 block of East California 26 when deputies said Keamohuli and Agundez broke into a home. Deputies said a man was awakened by the pair after they demanded money and beat him with a wooden pole.

The man fought back and Agundez pulled a gun, deputies said. The two began fighting over the gun and the victim was able to shoot Agundez in the leg.

Officers were also able to locate the get-away car and found a sawed-off shotgun.

From Chicago, Illinois;

A 34-year-old man was shot and critically wounded when he attempted to rob another man outside a store in the South Loop.

The 31-year-old victim was walking out of a store about 6:15 p.m. in the 1200 block of South Jefferson when the attempted robber pulled out a gun and demanded money, according to Chicago Police.

After the attempted robber stole his property, the victim shot him in the chest, police said.

The man was arrested and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. Charges are pending.

From Eastvale, California;

A resident inside an Eastvale home that was being broken into shot at multiple would-be burglars Saturday causing them to flee, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the incident.

The burglary occurred at about 1:30 p.m. while multiple residents were in the home in the 6400 block of Caxton Street, according to Deputy Armando Munoz.

One of the residents shot at the suspects, who then fled the scene, said Munoz.

It was not clear if any of the suspects were hit by the gunfire, he said, and no arrests have been made.

From New Orleans, Louisiana;

A 37-year-old woman was entering her home when a man attacked her from behind, police said, and began strangling her and dragging her through the home. The woman was able to get hold of a kitchen knife and she stabbed her attacker in the left leg.

After he was stabbed, police said Essie Toler, 40, was taken to a hospital and charged. Jail records show Toler was being held on charges that he violated a protective order and a charge of domestic abuse battery involving strangulation.

From Albuquerque, New Mexico;

“The estranged boyfriend or husband made it to her apartment. Kind of came in through the window armed, and there was confrontation somewhere inside the apartment,” said Albuquerque Police Officer Simon Drobik.

Police say the woman and her new boyfriend were in an apartment and that the new boyfriend shot and killed the intruder in what appears to be self-defense.

Albuquerque Police say it looks like his actions were justified, but that will ultimately be up to the District Attorney.

The name of the man shot and killed has yet to be released.

Patrick sends us a link from New Hanover County, North Carolina;

According to a press release from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, several men entered a home on Silverlake Road around 2:30 a.m.

The homeowner woke up and gunfire ensued between the homeowner and the suspects, according to the NHCSO.

According to Lt. Jerry Brewer, one of the suspects was shot and killed by the homeowner. The other suspects fled the scene.

This is an ongoing investigation.

From Milwaukee, Wisconsin;

Milwaukee Police responded to a report of a masked gunman entering a restaurant near 34th and National around 8:10 p.m. Saturday evening. A worker at the restaurant pulled out a gun and chased the robber. Both the robbery suspect and worker fired shots.

According to police, the suspect is still at large and they don’t believe anyone was hit by gunfire.

Timothy sends a link from Phoenix, Arizona;

Phoenix police said an off-duty MCSO deputy was working security at Food City when two female suspects attempted to cash a fake check. The clerk realized the check was not real and one of the women pulled out a gun and started shooting.

“One of the employees verified that the check was stolen and she contacted an off-duty MCSO deputy who was working at the time,” Phoenix police spokesman Alan Pfohl said.

The deputy shot back and shot one of the suspects. The suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

“The deputy was able to catch one of the females,” Pfohl said. “That female removed a gun from her waistband, pointed over her shoulder and fired between one and three rounds at the deputy.”

The other female suspect fled the scene and has not been located.

From Holly Springs, Georgia;

Officers were informed that the elderly resident was awakened by the sound of a person breaking into the house and called 9-1-1 to report the incident.

Bettis previously told Patch the intruder entered the house and “was recognized by the tenant.” Hill allegedly assaulted the resident, who Bettis said defended himself by stabbing the subject during the confrontation.

Hill, who Bettis said was stabbed twice in the torso ran, from the house and was found in the vicinity of where the altercation took place. Hill was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was placed under arrest on unrelated charges. Holly Springs police later issued warrants for his arrested in connection with the Dec. 6 burglary.

HMC Ret sends us a link from Charlotte, North Carolina;

Just minutes earlier, authorities say the owner, Sarah Shoe, told 911 she had already been forced to pull a gun on the man attacking her boyfriend once. Prosecutors say that man, DeShawn Tatem, returned about a minute and a half later.

“You said he’s back ?” the dispatcher asks.

“Yeah, he’s out their screaming. If he comes in I’m shooting him,” the woman says on the 911 call.

According to the 911 call, the dispute between people at neighboring storefronts appeared to be over a water bill. All of it happened, while Shoe’s grandchildren were inside the store at the time.

Authorities say after assaulting Shoe’s boyfriend, Tatem moved toward her and her grandchildren. That’s when she fired one shot killing him. After the shooting, the dispatcher confirmed who she shot.

“Is it the same guy that came in the first time?” the dispatcher asks.

“Yes, it’s the same guy that came in and attacked my boyfriend,” says the woman on the 911 tape.

The district attorney has now ruled it self-defense, after reviewing several pieces of evidence including witness statements, physical evidence, and the 911 call.

AW1Ed sends a link from Tampa, Florida;

The owner of City Pawn is not facing any charges after Tampa police said he shot and killed a man inside his store in self defense.

Arthur Divi, 41, opened fire just before 2pm Thursday afternoon at his store located at 3901 E. Hillsborough Ave.

After the shooting, Divi went over to Olin Mott Tire and told an employee there what happened.

Cody Keene says he’s known Divi for 15 years and felt terrible that he had to pull the trigger.

Eric Jerome Norton was pronounced dead a the scene.

“I guess he turned is back on the guy and he decided to stop doing business with him and when he turned his back on him he heard the guy put his hands on the counter and come over the counter, and when he turned around and had two guns pulled on him,” Keene said. In the heat of the moment he just drew down on him, and he got the first shot off.”

From Bowling Green, Ohio;

Bowling Green Police Lt. Brad Biller said this morning that at 1:05 a.m. a resident of the 100 block of Liberty Street reported he had “engaged with gunfire” two people that had broken into his house.

By the time officers arrived at the scene, the two individuals had fled.

Biller said one of the men was found in the vicinity of Main and Evers streets. He had sustained a “through-and-through” gunshot wound to one arm, and another bullet was lodged in the same arm. He also had another bullet embedded in his lower back. The man, who was not identified because he has not yet been charged, was treated by Bowling Green Fire/EMS at the scene and was transported to a Toledo hospital.

Biller said that his wounds were not life threatening. The homeowner used a 9 mm handgun, he said.

As of approximately 7 a.m. Biller said that the homeowner had not given police a complete statement. However, he had indicated that the two people did gain entry to his residence, and that one of them was threatening him when he shot them. Biller said that to his knowledge, the homeowner has not indicated whether they had any weapons on them. He also said that they do not presently know if the individuals took anything from the home.

From Port Arthur, Texas;

The suspect has not been named nor has his age or hometown been released. However, police said he reportedly forced his way into a home around 10:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of 10th Street.

The suspect was said to be carrying a short-barreled rifle and demanded money from the occupants, according to information from the Port Arthur Police Department.

One of the occupants of the home retrieved a handgun and shot the suspect multiple times. He was initially brought to Christus St. Mary Hospital, then later transferred to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont where he underwent surgery.

From Columbus, Ohio;

Columbus Police are looking for a suspect who robbed a Merion Village convenience store at gunpoint Thursday night.

Police said the suspect robbed the Buckeye Market in the 1300 block of S. 4th Street around 8:20 p.m.

During the robbery, police said the clerk retrieved a handgun from under the counter and shot the suspect, who then fled the area and has yet to be located.

The suspect was described as a black male, mid-to-late 20’s, 6’0″-6’3″, heavy build, wearing a black mask, black jacket, faded blue jeans, armed with a silver pistol, and suffering from a gunshot wound.

From Lowell, Massachusetts;

As the co-owner of Valentina’s Portuguese Market walked into the frozen-goods section to grab a drink Wednesday night, he heard, “Oh my God” from the register.

Max, 25, saw a robber pointing a gun at the other co-owner of Valentina’s, located at 886 Central St.

Max, who declined give his last name, immediately stepped back around Portuguese imported cheese and cereals, pulled out the gun he’s licensed to carry, cocked his gun and waited for the thief.

“I fired. Boom. Boom,” recalled Max Thursday morning. “I thought he was dead right there, but he got up. I fired two more. Boom. Boom. He was ducking, though. I would have got him if he was standing up.”

Again, the suspect was lying on the floor.

Then he popped up quickly and ran out the door of the market in the city’s Back Central neighborhood.

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

Authorities say Osiris Lester, who was allegedly armed with a gun, tried to rob a man but the alleged victim pulled out his own gun and shot Lester, hitting him in the wrist.

Police say Lester ran to a nearby fast-food restaurant but was arrested there a short time later. He was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center for treatment and listed in stable condition.

Lester faces robbery, simple assault and other related charges.

From Chicago, Illinois;

The 17-year-old boy tried to rob the store in the 200 block of North Kedzie at 10:46 a.m., according to Chicago Police.

The robbery was interrupted by the store owner, a 40-year-old man, who exchanged gunfire with the suspect, police said.

The teen was shot in the upper right shoulder and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said. He is in police custody, and was previously arrested for armed robbery on Nov. 28.

Eggs sends a story from Winston-Salem, North Carolina about NASCAR team owner and Hall of Fame member Richard Childress;

The individuals fled Childress’ home in the Reedy Creek area after Childress armed himself with a handgun to investigate a crash heard on the lower level of his house.

Law enforcement officials are still searching for the suspects; surveillance video shows the faces of the intruders were covered. They broke in by smashing a window next to a doorknob and in doing so, activated an alarm. The three individuals appeared to be carrying firearms.

There was no indication any of the suspects were injured and officials say nothing was taken from the Childress home.

In an update to yesterday’s story from Cleveland, Ohio, the criminal who was shot and killed, Cornelius Love, had been released from prison on Sunday after serving 21-months for armed robbery. He would have been on probation until 2020, if he had lived long enough. That’s rehabilitation that you can take to the bank;

The 41-year-old homeowner saw Love breaking into the home and shot him several times, police said. Officers found Love dead in the home near a staircase, according to police.

From Columbus, Georgia;

Police later determined the man living in the home reacted to sounds coming from the back door. When he saw the suspect, police said, he fired his weapon at the intruder.

The neighbor, who remains anonymous, says this kind of crime should convince other people to install a security system for their homes.

“Cameras can be for safety. You can catch their face,” he said,”or their body when they break in your house.”

Columbus police said the intruder was shot twice. Hours later, investigators found the suspect bleeding from the two bullet wounds. That suspect was sent to an area hospital for treatment.

From Cleveland, Ohio;

The shooting happened about 3 a.m. at a home in the 10600 block of Elgin Avenue, south of St. Clair Avenue in the city’s Glenville neighborhood, according to police.

A 20-year-old man broke into the home, police said. The homeowner shot the man several times, killing him, according to police.

Officers found the home invasion suspect in the home near a staircase, according to police.

From Detroit, Michigan;

The victim, a 35-year-old woman, was sitting in her vehicle with another person when the suspect approached and robbed her at gunpoint.

After the suspect took the woman’s purse, her 15-year-old son exited the side door of their home, gun in hand, and fired a shot, which hit the suspect. The suspect then fled in an unknown direction.

The 15-year-old boy was treated that night for “non-fatal injuries.”

Since the incident, someone has used a credit card that was in the woman’s stolen purse, police say.

From Dallas, Texas;

According to police, the owner of the Tienda Mi-Mexico Meat Market, on Northwest Highway near Dallas Love Field Airport, saw two people inside the store when he went to open up around 6:30 a.m. The owner told police he pulled his gun and opened fire when one of the men charged at him.

According to family members, the business owner lawfully owns the gun he fired, but the experience has been traumatic for him. Raul Rios, his brother-in-law, said, “When you fear for your life ya know, it’s quite an experience when you come out of it. But he’s okay. He’ll be alright.”

The Tienda Mi-Mexico Meat Market supplies meat to several local taco shops. Investigators still at the scene late Wednesday morning said the suspects may have gained entry by prying a back door open.

The victim, whose name has not been released, died at the scene.

An update to the San Jose story from yesterday; The criminal who was shot by a security guard was DOT (dead over there) at the hospital.

People who frequent the area were surprised a guard would shoot at an apparent robber.

Police tell KRON4 security guards don’t usually have guns. The guard, in this case, is licensed to carry one.

From Athens, Pennsylvania;

[Michael] Harrigan entered the residence with a wooden baseball bat and was confronted by Babcock, who was armed with a shotgun. [The homeowner, Bruce] Babcock fired one shot, striking Harrigan, who then exited through the same broken window he entered. Harrigan and North fled in a waiting vehicle.

Both suspects were located in an apartment in Athens and taken into custody. They have been charged with robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and drug violations.

From North Versailles, Pennsylvania;

The county police department’s general investigation unit said the attempted home invasion occurred at 10:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Foster Road. North Versailles Police responded.

Multiple people attempted to force the door of the residence open, but the homeowner shot at them before they entered, police said. The homeowners were not harmed. The suspects fled the scene and were not identified, police said.

From Heppner, Oregon;

A wild chase after two alleged car thieves ended in arrest in a remote area of southern Morrow County Sunday. District Attorney Justin Nelson says it began when a neighbor saw a garage open and someone driving away in a Jeep belonging to the homeowner. He decided to follow the vehicle.

“The timing of this is, I would almost say, miraculous,” Nelson said of how the event played out. “The neighbor got behind the Jeep and that’s when the Jeep basically floored it. One of the occupants put a handgun out, and shot once. At that point, the neighbor stopped his chase, went back to another neighbor who happened to be a Morrow County Sheriff’s officer.”

They alerted dispatch. Meanwhile, the two alleged thieves stole gas and gas cans from another residence and attempted to spray paint the white Jeep Cherokee black. They ran out of paint and only managed to cover the hood, Nelson said.

At some point later, the vehicle ended up in a ravine and Nelson said the suspects were preparing to light the Jeep on fire.

“Another miraculous timing was where they crashed, it’s hard to explain how rural this area is,” he said. “But where they were at was near hunting grounds for Treo Ranches and right out by the ridge out there, there was a group of individuals from Yakima who were hunting.”

Nelson said the hunters, and the owner of the ranch grew suspicious of the two suspects’ actions.

“They went out, chased, and were able to surround the two suspects and kept them at gunpoint until law enforcement was able to arrive at the scene,” he said.

From San Jose, California;

The man was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, [San Jose police Sgt. Enrique] Garcia said.

Garcia said a preliminary investigation revealed that the man was “attempting to commit a robbery inside the store” when a security guard opened fire and wounded him.

The security guard is cooperating with the investigation, Garcia said.

Additional details about the shooting were not immediately available late Monday night.

From Chicago, Illinois;

A teenage suspect was shot while attempting to carjack an off-duty Chicago police officer just blocks away from police headquarters on the South Side Monday night, according to police.

Police said the officer was sitting in their personal SUV around 7 p.m. in the Bronzeville neighborhood when two suspects approached either side of the vehicle.

When one tapped on the passenger side window, the other on the driver’s side announced a robbery, and the officer fired his weapon, striking the 18-year-old suspect in the abdomen. The suspect was transported in Northwestern and is in stable condition.

Authorities are looking for the second person.

Police said the officer is an 18-year veteran who lives in the area.

Sgt. Cindy Guerra, CPD News Affairs said it shows how “brazen” carjackings have become that one of their own officers would become a target.

From Springfield, Missouri;

When a customer raised a maroon towel to his face, police say a Springfield gas station manager grew suspicious.

The customer allegedly raised his shirt to show a gun a tucked in his waistband.

But police say the manager had already drawn his 9-millimeter handgun.

By the time officers arrived at the gas station at about 1 a.m. on Dec. 9, the would-be robber was lying face down on the ground while the manager held him at gunpoint, court documents say.

The incident is described in a probable cause statement used to charge Anthony Hetherington, 18, with first-degree attempted robbery.

According to the statement, the gun tucked into Hetherington’s waistband turned out to be a BB gun.

From Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;

Oscar and Mario Romero were in their AREA Oklahoma City rooms Monday morning when home surveillance video caught someone at the front door.

The person kicked in the door, and the Romeros and their parents heard the noise.

“They just came and scared the crap out of us,” Mario said. “They got him at gunpoint, asking him for money.”

The home-invader pistol-whipped Oscar, and a gunfight broke out. The home soon was riddled with bullets and shattered glass after a second burglar broke in through the back.

“I got out of my bed, grabbed my handgun,” Mario said.

Mario then exchanged gunfire with one of the burglars.

“His partner had a gun on my father, and that’s when I pointed a gun at him and he shot me,” Mario said. “I went to the floor, but I was able to return fire.”

He was shot in the pelvis, and the blood-stained floor and piles of broken glass throughout the home are a painful reminder of how deadly Monday’s break-in could have been.

“It’s getting too common, and people need to start arming themselves,” Mario said. “We would have been 6-feet under or seriously injured.”