Armed employee thwarts robbery attempt in company parking lot

The Youngstown Vindicator reported last week that when an employee of Larry's Lounge on Hillman Street exited the bar carrying cash, he was surprised to find someone waiting for him.

After being greeted by the employee, the Vindicator says the man pulled a ski mask over his face and lifted an "Uzi-type" gun from under his coat, shouting "This is a holdup!"

The news story goes on to say the employee diverted the would-be robber's attention by saying, "Look over there!" While the masked robber looked away, the employee ran behind a parked car, drew his own gun, and pointed it at the would-be robber, who fled.

The employee, after doing some investigating of his own, identified the suspect for police, who indicated the man has tried to rob others in the parking lot.

The following stories depict robberies of (unarmed) employees by serial criminals elsewhere in Ohio:

Cincinnati Post - November 23, 2004
Three men arrested last week following the robbery of a University Heights convenience store, shots being fired at officers, and three-hour standoff with a SWAT team were indicted Monday. After a silent alarm was activated by a store employee during the robbery, the trio is accused of being in the car that was pulling out of the store's parking lot just as police were responding. The car was pulled over two blocks away and one suspect was arrested. The other two fled into the woods on Riddle Road where they were accused of breaking into apartments at 724 Riddle Road and holding residents of those apartments hostage. After the stand-off, the two surrendered without hurting the hostages. The pair also are charged in a Nov. 8 robbery of the Days Inn at 2280 Central Parkway in University Heights and an Oct. 28 robbery of the Checks Cashed at 2182 Queen City Ave., Westwood.

Toledo Blade - November 27, 2004
Northwood police are looking for help in identifying a man who has robbed the same gas station twice in three weeks.
The first robbery at the AP gas station, 4433 Woodville Rd., occurred at 10:15 a.m. Nov. 3. The second holdup was at 3:15 p.m. Nov. 20. The suspect brandished a black revolver both times, investigators said. It is unknown how he gets to and from the gas station. No vehicle has been seen, detectives said.

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Attacked in workplace parking lot

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Ohio's working families deserve right to self-defense to and from jobs