Greed spelled death for a gold thief in New Mexico. Several intruders tried to rob the owner of a rare coin shop one Saturday afternoon. The businessman—despite the fact that one of the robbers struck him in the head with a blunt instrument—grabbed his gun and fired, shooting one of the criminals. The thieves then fled, and the wounded suspect was later dropped off outside a hospital emergency room. Gold coins and bullion bars fell out of his pockets as the doctors treated him. The man later died, and police are looking for his accomplices. The shop owner was treated for his injuries. (Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, NM, 1/31/16)
The Armed Citizen® Extra
Upon returning home, a Willmar, Minn., man noticed that someone had picked through some of the possessions in his garage and kitchen. He then entered his living room, where he interrupted a thief with a buck knife in the process of robbing him. When the resident drew his legally permitted handgun, the suspect dropped his weapon. After calling the police, the homeowner allowed the burglar to leave the residence. The local police department apprehended the suspect just down the road as he attempted to enter the getaway vehicle. The failed thief now faces charges for first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling, burglary with a dangerous weapon and providing a false name to a police officer. (West Central Tribune, Willmar, MN, 1/7/16)
From the Armed Citizen® Archives
September 1975
Carl Bear was the lone customer in an Abington, Pa., donut shop when a man entered the store, handed the cashier a note saying he was armed and then helped himself to the cash. When the thief turned to flee, he found himself staring down the barrel of Bear’s pistol. He immediately surrendered with hands held high. Bear, who has a pistol permit, turned over the crook to the police. (The Evening Bulletin, Philadelphia, PA)
