Robbery/Possible executions foiled at Walgreens

[blackwolfe]

This happened in my neck of the woods.  I figured the guy would get fired, but at least he and the other employees can kiss their wives goodnight and hug their children.  Walgreens fires the guy by email?

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2011/05/18/local_news/4820927.txt

BENTON TOWNSHIP - A photograph of four children tucked in a thank-you card from a coworker reminds Jeremy Hoven he did the right thing.

But doing "the right thing" cost the night shift pharmacist his job at the Walgreens drugstore at Napier Avenue and M-139. The national pharmacy chain fired Hoven on Monday, eight days after he fired his handgun to foil an armed robbery and a potentially deadly hostage situation at the store.

------------------------SNIP-----------------

The two masked gunmen fled after Hoven fired three or four shots from his revolver during the 4:30 a.m. incident May 8, a Sunday.

The card came from the family of a Walgreens manager who had been working that shift. Hoven, who spoke in measured, crisp tones, got a little emotional showing the card during an interview Tuesday at The Herald-Palladium.

-----------------------------SNIP----------------------

Hoven said his first hint something was wrong was seeing a manager run into a storeroom on the building's west side. Seconds later he saw a man brandishing a handgun, guiding the second manager around the shelf at the northeast corner.

"The first thing I tried to do was dial 911 but I couldn't get it done," Hoven said. "Within seconds he was over the counter. And I'm looking at the wrong end of a 9-millimeter (gun). He was holding it gangster-style" - sideways.

The robber had jumped over the counter, leaving the manager in the aisle. The robber came within a few feet of Hoven.

Hoven said the only thing behind the attacker was a cinder block wall. Thus he pulled his gun and fired three or four shots.

"I was creating a safe zone for myself," he said.

The attacker tried to fire back, but his gun either malfunctioned or the safety had been left on, Hoven said.

The two gunmen ran out of the store.

There have been no arrests in the case, and police suspect the one gunman was wounded. However, Hoven said there was no blood on the floor.

Hoven said the drugstore cameras indicate 42 seconds elapsed from when the men entered and when they left.

--------------------------SNIP-----------------------

More at link above.

Although not specifically mentioned in the article, the reason the gun "malfuntioned" is that indeed the safety was "on".  The reason they think one of the bad guys may have been wounded is that he is seen flinching when one of the shots is fired.  I personaly wonder if the flinch is really the bad guy crapping his pants.

 

If you go to the Herald Palladium websight the earlier stories are available.  Comments well worth reading.

http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2011/05/18/local_news/4823861.txt

[fightingquaker13]

And he is fired why? They are open at 4:30 am with no armed security (pharmacy, hello?) and they fire a guy for packing? I think the CEO should be forced to work grave yard at one of their Detroit branches for a month. Then we'll see what the policy is. As it stands, maybe a lawsuit for hazardous working conditions?
FQ13

[tt11758]

And he is fired why? They are open at 4:30 am with no armed security (pharmacy, hello?) and they fire a guy for packing? I think the CEO should be forced to work grave yard at one of their Detroit branches for a month. Then we'll see what the policy is. As it stands, maybe a lawsuit for hazardous working conditions?
FQ13

Same reason Pizza Hut in Des Moines fired a delivery driver who shot his way out of an ambush robbery in a bad part of town a couple of years ago.  They're ignorant asshats.

[PegLeg45]

Same reason Pizza Hut in Des Moines fired a delivery driver who shot his way out of an ambush robbery in a bad part of town a couple of years ago.  They're ignorant asshats.

That'saboutitinanutshell.

[Solus]

Time to let Walgreens know you'll not be doing business with them in the future and the reason is the firing of Jeremy Hoven.

[Sponsor]

[Tim/GA]

Yep, did that.  Here is the response I received:

"Thank you for contacting Walgreens regarding this matter. Our policies in this area are designed to maintain the maximum safety of our customers and employees.Store employees receive comprehensive training on our company’s robbery procedures and how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. In past incidents, employees have told us they’ve found this training effective.These policies and training programs are endorsed by law enforcement, which strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.Compliance is safer than confrontation. Through this practice, we have been able to maintain an exemplary record of safety.We’ve made significant investments in security technology in recent years, including increasing the number of digital surveillance cameras at our stores.With upgrades to security technology, we are able to provide police with high-resolution photographs and video of crime suspects.We continue to invest in state-of-the-art security measures and high-definition surveillance equipment and hope that the apprehension of robbery suspects in the Benton Harbor area will prevent future crimes. Thank you for contacting Walgreens to share your comments.

Sincerely,


Ella
Consumer Response Representative

Ref # 3088874"

I noticed that they did not quote what I said in their response.  Since I used the contact page I don't have a record.  Of course no where in my email did I ask about their ability to help AFTER the attack, which is pretty much what the response was about.  Apparently none of those victims who have been shot over the past few years AFTER complying count.  Nope, still shopping there.

[fightingquaker13]

I get their concerns about a customer getting zapped in a firefight, and it something to be taken seriously (from a liability stand point). Still, the way to avoid all of the concern is to hire armed security. It doesn't need to be a dedicated officer. Just pay a regular employ extra and provide the weapon and class fees to get the security licence. But absent this, relying on camera's as detterence is pure foolishness. Its a freaking pharmacy! You are going to get robbed by junkies wanting vicodin and oxy. Not the most rational of folks. Deterrence and compliance won't cut it. This isn't a bank where you are normally dealing with rational people. You are dealing with addicts. You need defense on the spot. This should be plain as day.
FQ13

[tt11758]

Compliance is safer than confrontation.

Tell that to the two convenience store clerks in northern Iowa who were shot in the face and killed so they couldn't call the cops AFTER COMPLYING AND GIVING UP THE CASH.

BTW, both convenience stores had security cameras, too.  It helped the cops get the right dirtbag, but a fat lot of good it did the clerks.

[Pecos Bill]

"Thank you for contacting Walgreens regarding this matter. Our policies in this area are designed to maintain the maximum safety of our customers and employees.Store employees receive comprehensive training on our company’s robbery procedures and how to react and respond to a potential robbery situation. In past incidents, employees have told us they’ve found this training effective.These policies and training programs are endorsed by law enforcement, which strongly advises against confrontation of crime suspects.Compliance is safer than confrontation. Through this practice, we have been able to maintain an exemplary record of safety.We’ve made significant investments in security technology in recent years, including increasing the number of digital surveillance cameras at our stores.With upgrades to security technology, we are able to provide police with high-resolution photographs and video of crime suspects.We continue to invest in state-of-the-art security measures and high-definition surveillance equipment and hope that the apprehension of robbery suspects in the Benton Harbor area will prevent future crimes. Thank you for contacting Walgreens to share your comments.

Sincerely,


Ella
Consumer Response Representative

Ref # 3088874"

This is security? Sounds like surveillance to me. What ever they call it, it sure makes me feel safe as I go into a Walgreens.

Pecos

[TAB]

Tell that to the two convenience store clerks in northern Iowa who were shot in the face and killed so they couldn't call the cops AFTER COMPLYING AND GIVING UP THE CASH.

BTW, both convenience stores had security cameras, too.  It helped the cops get the right dirtbag, but a fat lot of good it did the clerks.

I can asure you they would have both been just as dead if they fought back.

Thats not something you do on a whim, The POS planed to kill them. 


How you stop armed robberys like this is simple... you do what the sherrif of pulaski county( the county little rock AR is in) did in the 70s.  He had a press confrence saying there would be plain clothed LEOs in som convenience stores, with orders to shoot on site. For the 1st few nights nothing happen, then two people "got lucky" and picked the wrong store to rob.  they were both shot and killed.  they did not have another armed robbery on a convenience store for 19 months.