Armed citizens protect lives and property in Ohio

May 6, 2004 - Akron
Man foils business robbery

An Akron man picking up scrap metal foiled a robbery attempt in a Norton Avenue bowling alley.

Gary Parsons, 52, said he was talking to an employee about hauling away scrap when he saw a man walk into Brunswick Charger Lanes around 10 p.m April 26 and put a gun to the head of a female employee.

"He said, 'You've got five seconds,' '' Parsons said. "Then he walked around me and pointed the gun at Ric (Marquez -- another employee).'' Parsons said the man told Marquez, "You've got five seconds, and then I'm going to start shooting.''

"Everyone started ducking and a couple of people screamed. I was getting more ticked by the second,'' Parsons said. "I wasn't going to let him hurt anybody. I didn't want to grab the gun while he was waving it around because there were kids in there. He was pointing the gun everywhere.''

When Marquez put the cash register drawer on the counter, the suspect laid down the gun and Parsons saw his chance. He grabbed the gun, elbowed the robber in the throat, and threw the gun to Marquez.

April 29, 2004 - Cleveland
Police follow trail of blood to find robbery suspect

An off-duty sheriff's deputy shot a man who tried to rob him early Thursday morning.

It started at East 79th Street and Central Avenue with the attempted armed robbery.

The deputy was able to shoot the suspect and the man ran off.

Police followed a trail of blood to East 74th Street, where the man was apparently picked up.

They recovered the weapon there and later arrested the man at his house.

The deputy wasn't hurt.

May 10, 2004 - Toledo
Gunman shot in robbery at convenience store

A gunman who robbed a Monroe Street convenience store last night was shot at least twice by a store employee as he fled to a waiting car.

The unidentified gunman was reported in stable condition early today in Toledo Hospital, Sgt. Greg Smith said.

The assailant entered Howard and Sons, 3730 Monroe at 10:45 p.m., pulled a gun, and announced the holdup, Sergeant Smith said. As he ran from the store after taking cash, the gunman was shot by an employee.

Police believe the assailant fled to a waiting vehicle, then was dropped off at the hospital by the driver, who then left.

13 ABC TV COVERAGE: Gunman shot in robbery at convenience store (Windows Media Streaming)

The facts and details of this case are not known by OFCC beyond the circumstances highlighted in this story, accept that police say the clerk was a CHL-holder, and is not likely to be charged with any wrongdoing.