Robbery Suspect Shot and Killed, Police Say Robberies On Rise

Save

Posted: 7:08 PM Nov 27, 2007
Last Updated: 5:43 AM Nov 28, 2007
Reporter: Lauri Martin
Email Address: lmartin@kktv11news.com

21 comments

A | A | A

A robbery suspect was shot and killed after trying to rob a liquor store, Spring Police said. It happened just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening at a strip mall off of Jet Wing and Fountain.

The robbery suspect was taken to Memorial Hospital, but he was pronounced dead just minutes later. While the investigation is still on-going, Springs Police said the owner of the liquor store, in his 70’s, shot the suspect in the chest.

This is the 3rd robbery to happen in the Springs in the past 24 hours. In fact, robberies are on the rise in November.

"During the course of this year, we average 25-30 robberies a month, but now, that's how much we've had in the past 2 weeks," said Detective Don Chagnon with Springs Police. In November there have been close to having 60 robberies. Detective Chagnon said he doesn’t know why robberies are increasing.

Another liquor store was robbed just a few weeks ago off of Hancock, near Memorial Park. Nick Fancher was working at the time. "He pulls up his gun, says give me the money. I hit the ‘no sale’ button. Then, 2 more guys walked in with ski masks."

The 3 suspects, Fancher said, made away with cash. He’s worried now, it could happen again.

Detective Chagnon said that half of the robberies that have happened in Colorado Springs in November were at businesses. The other half were personal robberies, meaning people were walking on the street and got robbed.

del.icio.us

Google

Yahoo

digg

More Stories
Fellow Republican To Run Against District Attorney Newsome

Dog Attacks Up On Meter Readers

IRS: Up To 350,000 Didn't Get Child Credit

Investigators: Cigarette Likely Caused Ellicott Fire

Motorized Boating Restricted At Rampart Reservoir

Security Breach Halts Denver Airport Checkpoints, Trains

Student Arrested For Middle School Bomb Threat

5-Month-Old Sole Survivor Of I-70 Crash

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: concerned citizen Location: colorado springs on Dec 26, 2007 at 01:09 PM
I can give you a few big reasons why robberies are up.The freedom employers have to turn people away because of misdemeanors on background checks.Felonies get a rougher deal in the whole situation.Maybe at this time when the employers and people in positions of power are into being with families for the holidays,maybe something like the likes of what's going on presently in our city will open their eyes to the true responsible parties of these robberies.Change the background check system where nonviolent crimes and misdemeanors are excluded. Even better eliminate it all together and allow people to get a job based on character alone. If we don't give people a chance to make a decent living then how can we scold when they act indecent. Robberies have one common denominator lack of something. With a decent job or at the least a more level field of play, the majority or robberies will go away.We as a city and state of the U.S. have the responsibility to fix this before it brings worst.

Posted by: Ron Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 4, 2007 at 06:31 AM
It is astounding to me that people understand what just happened with the liquor store shooting and approve, but when it comes to arming a teacher in our schools to protect our children they just can't seem to grasp the need for it.

Posted by: My Friend Location: jet wing cir w on Dec 3, 2007 at 06:41 PM
Right on Chuck,,,,,,,,,,

Posted by: M Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 2, 2007 at 01:06 AM
I feel that this is just and that the thought of the Liqour store owner facing potential charges is downright stupid. He acted in self defense. I hope that the city learns that when the crime rate goes up, people will do what they have to in order to protect their property and perhaps their lives. SOme are starting to feel that nothing is being done to protect them, they will take matters into their own hands. Unfortunate but true.

Posted by: Tom Location: Colorado Springs on Nov 30, 2007 at 11:50 AM
Hopefully this will decrease the number of robberies.. since few sane criminals will attempt to rob a place if they know they are outgunned.

Posted by: ana chavez Location: terrell on Nov 29, 2007 at 09:24 PM
can you please update me an any other news that is linked to Gibran Gaitan. I would more info cause he is a family member of mine.Thank you for all your help. laura chavez

Posted by: Ike Location: Colorado Springs on Nov 29, 2007 at 11:15 AM
The city needs to get this crime under control. Hey heres an idea, why dont we take some money away from the parks instead of giving them and give that money to the police department who need that money more then the parks. That does not pass the common sense rule if you ask me. Wonder why no one in the city is seeing this also has a problem. Until the police can get up to strength we are going to continue to see this kind of problems!

Posted by: Andre Location: Springs on Nov 28, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Excellent Job!! He has eliminated one less robber. I think if the cops are doing their job to get these thugs off the street then business and home owners should be allowed to protect themselves by any means necessary.

Posted by: TREES Location: C/S on Nov 28, 2007 at 02:44 PM
MY BROTHER WAS FALSELY ACCUSED AND IDENTIFIED AS THIS INDIVIDUAL AND PUT IN JAIL FOR NO REASON. THE FACT THIS FOOL WAS CAUGHT/KILLED IS A HUGE RELIEF FOR MY FAMILY. I WANT TO SAY HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM WITH THE GAS STATION CLERK AND CSPD FOR NOT DOING A PROPER INVESTIGATION AND TRYING TO FORCE MY BROTHER INTO TAKING BLAME FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT, AS WELL AS FALSELY IDENTIFYING HIM. WE ARE FORTUNATE HE WILL BE RELEASED TODAY, BUT ARE FURIOUS THAT THEY HAVE CAUSED SO MUCH INCONVENIENCE FOR MY BROTHER. THIS IS ALL BASED ON A MISTAKEN IDENTITY. NICE TO KNOW YOU CAN POINT SOMEONE OUT FALSELY AND RUIN THEIR WHOLE LIFE. TO THE GAS STATION CLERK->GET YOUR VISION CHECKED!!!

Posted by: Kevin on Nov 28, 2007 at 02:24 PM
I wonder if this perp is the same one that was making the news last week. Sounds like someone got a little brave and met his match.

Posted by: Jack Location: Security on Nov 28, 2007 at 01:20 PM
Doesnt anyone have pity for the fool who was stupid enough to rob the store? Tweakers need money too! I remember a pawn shop who was robbed, and the clerk had a running firefight with the crooks, he killed both, and I never hear of anyone robbing pawn shops anymore. Seriously, the Police need to buckle down and fix this problem, CSPD and the Sheriffs are undermanned, overly agressive, and improperly trained. This is why Colorado Springs is starting to look like south Centeral LA. I know our city can fix this problem, they did beautifully in the mid 90's during the last crime wave.

Posted by: jenn Location: springs on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Good for that clerk!!! My husband was robbed at gun point 2 months ago, and obviously left that job. My husband has a license to carry concealed and just happened not to have his gun on him that day. The idiots that robbed him should thank their lucky stars they are still alive!

Posted by: Sarah Location: Colorado Springs on Nov 28, 2007 at 08:38 AM
I dont blame the clerck one bit! Good for him! Maybe when these robbers see people are fighting back, the crime will go down. (Although, somehow I doubt it.)

Posted by: David Location: Colorado Springs on Nov 28, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Good for the liquor store owner who shot the "suspect". Perhaps this will make some potential robbers think twice before trying to rob someone else.

Posted by: Kevin on Nov 28, 2007 at 08:28 AM
I've been preaching this win-win method of crime deterrent for years. Armed with a weapon = self defense. The criminal gets dispatched, and the business keeps profits up.

Posted by: Mark Location: Colo Spgs on Nov 28, 2007 at 07:26 AM
Byee, byee "Would be Robber!" You got what you deserve; maybe the rest of the "would be's" will take notice and instead of robbing businesses/people, get a job! No sympathy for this guy; bravo to the business owner!

Posted by: Mark Location: COS on Nov 28, 2007 at 06:52 AM
An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer and easier

Posted by: ann on Nov 28, 2007 at 06:29 AM
I say "Good Job" owners of business need to protect their stores. As well as home owners.

Posted by: Jeannie Location: Iraq on Nov 28, 2007 at 05:54 AM
Local resident of Colorado Springs. Regarding the ranking in schools. I like the idea of ranking. I think high achievers should be recognized and I don't b elieve those high achievers take away from any other students. Companies rank their employees for the purpase of salary increases, rewarding those employees who are ranked the highest based on specific behavior and specific job specifications are reqarded. criteria. This is the reality of life. Ranking is a process in determining top performers. I think we need to have some sense of measurement. It is not intended to take away from others performance, but I think it is a way in determing a range of acceptable behaviors. I am a high achiever with high standards and achievements and I want to be recognized for those achievements and rewarded for those achievements. Ranking is how most corporations determine salary increases. Increases are based on merit. And ranking is the process in which to determine where an individual fall.

Posted by: bill Location: colorado springs, CO on Nov 28, 2007 at 02:55 AM
Best of luck to the liquor store owner. You were right in defending yourself against a clueless idiot. Hopefully, the courts won't try to make you look like the badguy.

Posted by: Rob Location: Co Springs on Nov 27, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Robberies are more than just on the rise. They're becoming an epidemic.

Bush Sparks Campaign Stir From Israel
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama accused President Bush of launching a "false political attack" with a comment about appeasing dictators.
California Overturns Gay Marriage Ban
The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.
Woman Indicted In Cyber-Bully Suicide
A federal grand jury indicted a woman for her alleged role in perpetrating a hoax on the online social network MySpace against a 13-year-old neighbor who later committed suicide.