Firearms Owners Against Crime
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
Institute for Legal, Legislative and Educational Action
LEHIGH ACRES - A would-be thief at a Lehigh Acres grocery store was caught off guard when the owner pulled out a gun and chased the suspect away.
Owner Pierre Phurcien said it was his first time being robbed, and when he realized what was happening he made a split-second decision that ultimately saved his life.
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"I saw a guy with the mask, and I was thinking it was a kid playing. Because sometimes kids do foolish things. I say don't play games. That's no good," he said.
But he soon realized, as he got ready to close his store just after 6 p.m. Sunday, that it wasn't a kid. And it wasn't a game.
"He came right here, and he pulled a gun and said give me the money," Phurcien said. "Then I pulled my gun, and I asked him what kind of money, then he starts to run away."
Surveillance video shows the suspect taking off, with Phurcien right on his heels.
"It was nothing for me because I prepare for that," he said. "And I'll always use my good sense. So I wasn't scared."
No customers were in the store at the time, but NBC2 spoke to some on Monday who insist they'd have reacted the same way to protect a business.
"I would've sent the guy to the hospital," said Lorenzo Thomas.
Phurcien said he's taken his concealed weapon with him everywhere for the last eight years.
"All the time. All the time. That's my best friend," he said. "Lehigh is getting bad so to do business here you have to have security. They better stop because the next person is not going to get out alive."
Lee County sheriff's deputies said they're looking for a suspect -- a white male in his early 20s -- and ask anyone with any information to contact them.The suspect is described as 5-foot-6 with a heavy build.
At the time of the robbery, he was wearing a black, hooded Florida Marlins sweatshirt, black shorts, white shoes, black gloves and a white mask, which concealed his entire face.
Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/30023240/armed-employee-chases-away-would-be-robber#.Vfo1mZfHmRR