Quick note from the common sense department: When you walk into a pawn shop in a seedy part of town, the owner probably has a gun.
Someone might want to share this bit of urban wisdom with a Phoenix man, who police say tried to rob a pawn shop, and now may be missing part of his face.
Police say that at about 11 a.m. Sunday, two men went to Central Pawn West at Casa de Empeño, located at 4126 W. Indian School Road, with the intention of robbing it.
When the would-be robbers entered the store, police say one of the men pointed a gun at the throat of a 15-year-old employee seated near the front of the store.
Bad idea.
Also in the store was the store's manager, who upon seeing the the men
threaten the 15-year-old, produced his own "piece," and started firing.
The manager, who does not want to be identified, says he fired several rounds at the two men, hitting one in the face.
"Someone tried to rob us. I shot one of the guys, and that's pretty much it," the manager tells the New Times. "I don't know if this guy's dead or not; the police won't tell me anything."
Police say that the 21-year-old suspect is not dead, but in "extremely
critical condition," and the other man fled in a stolen 1996 custom
green Chevy Suburban with an Arizona license plate of AFC5540.
Police say the remaining suspect is extremely dangerous, and ask that
if anyone sees the vehicle not to approach it, but to call 911.