Robbers murder clerk, chase down & kill fleeing witness

Anti-gun police spokespersons are fond of endorsing the idea that it is better to be a good witness than to actively try to defend yourself when robbed.

This theory comes to a crashing halt when a criminal decides it would be better not to leave any witnesses behind.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer first reported on this tragedy Tuesday, and followed up with an in-depth report today. The story goes like this:

Low on formula for their newborn, Rebecca and Francisco Cordoves drove through the snow Monday to Tony's Delicatessen.

Rebecca kissed her husband, then hopped from the car and hustled into the deli before it closed while Francisco circled the block, month-old Samantha and year-old Stephanie snuggled in car seats in back.

One loop around the block and Rebecca was dead.

Police Commander Edward Tomba said three men who swaggered in after the young mother apparently came to the corner deli on Scranton Road for money. And they brought guns.

He said they killed Tony's clerk Jorge Santiago, 36, because he didn't open the cash register fast enough. Then they shot Cordoves, 21, in the back, killing her, as she ran.

Francisco Cordoves pulled up to find his wife on the sidewalk.

The story goes on to detail how a second witness, who exited the store ahead of Cordoves, was also the target of the criminals' bullets, but managed to escape.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more on how defenselessness citizens have fared in crimes around Ohio this week.

Cincinnati: Man Shot Outside Restaurant Dies
The man shot in the head in a restaurant parking lot died Tuesday morning. Erich Weghorn, 26, was shot at Kentucky Fried Chicken at 125 West Liberty Street Sunday night. He was robbed of $40, his sister said. He leaves a 4-year-old son. Weghorn is the city's 65th homicide victim of 2004.

Cincinnati: Music Hall Beating Raises Security Questions
Music Hall is known as a place for concerts, graduations and proms, but Sunday night, a security guard working across the street was robbed and beaten. Noah Chatman was struck with a pistol and robbed by a masked gunman in a parking lot near Race Street.

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Marion: Marion police seek purse snatcher
Lt. Mike Radcliff said a call came in at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday night of the purse snatching in the 500 block of Rochelle Drive. He said the suspect asked the victim for directions as she was getting out her car. In the struggle for the purse she was knocked to the ground and also spilled the contents of the grocery bags she also had in her arms.

Toledo: Reward posted in robberies in city's north end
A $2,000 reward was offered yesterday for information in a handful of robberies of elderly North Toledo residents. Extra police patrols also are keeping an eye on the Manhattan Plaza on Manhattan Boulevard, where investigators believe the robber or robber watched most of the victims before following them home and accosting them. "It's very, very scary for them. It's like being terrorized," said Gloria Berendt, a Block Watch leader in the area. The robber's method of operation was similar. He grabbed the victims from behind, often in a bear hug, as they got out of their vehicle or walked to their residences. One was walking to a friend's house. The robber then took the victims' wallets from their pockets or snagged their purses.