I believe that the big box retailer that I work for was nearly subject to an armed robbery last night. Do you agree?
Last night was like any other night selling guns at a big box retailer. I had my fair share of questions about .22 ammo, saw some unsafe gun handling, and helped numerous new gun owners pick out their first firearms. At exactly closing time, the assistant manager walked out into the parking lot to retrieve carts, the two customer service girls were doing their thing up front (whatever that is), two employees were straightening out the firearms department, and I was doing my nightly firearms reports. As I was walking up front to pick up some returns, I noticed six gangster looking guys walk through the one door that was still unlocked. Their timing and demeanor immediately made me question their motives.
I radioed for the manager in the parking lot to lock the doors behind them and write down license plate numbers. I told the customer service girls to be good witnesses and keep an eye on anyone who broke away from the group. As the posse made their way to the firearms department I told the employees to not do anything stupid, spread out, and most of all be a good witness.
I walked behind the firearms counter to “help” the guys when they reached me. As soon as they approached the counter I informed them that our store was closing and asked if there was anything that I could help them with. Without a seconds pause, they immediately listed off the things that they were looking for. With each item they listed I became more nervous. Every single item they wanted was in a different locked storage case. They wanted high end optics, a gun, and electronics. I knew that it wasn’t a coincidence that they were asking for us to unlock nearly all of our high end merchandise at once.
I told them that the manager had already taken all of the employee’s keys since our store was closed and that he had already pulled all of the cash registers. (which wasn’t true) I also informed them that the manager was outside in the parking lot. I figured that they would be less likely to rob us if they thought that we couldn’t access money or high dollar goods. They told me that they were okay waiting for the manager. As they were pacing around the department I noticed that multiple members of the group were sloppily carrying guns. While we were waiting for the manager I told one of the customer service girls to get her cell phone and be ready to run out the door calling 911.
The manager came back to the firearms department and informed the group that we were closed, the registers had already been pulled, and that they were welcome to come back the next day. The group exchanged a few quick glances between each other and decided to leave. As they were leaving the back of the store, each member went a different direction. This made it impossible for us to watch them. I assume that they were shoplifting whatever they could get their hands on since we had disrupted their plans. The front door was unlocked and they all left in their rental car.
It was a terrifying feeling to be so vulnerable, but I believe that I handled the situation to the best of my ability. I am positive that our proactive actions made them think that robbing us would be harder and slower than planned. Do you think we were almost robbed?
Last night was like any other night selling guns at a big box retailer. I had my fair share of questions about .22 ammo, saw some unsafe gun handling, and helped numerous new gun owners pick out their first firearms. At exactly closing time, the assistant manager walked out into the parking lot to retrieve carts, the two customer service girls were doing their thing up front (whatever that is), two employees were straightening out the firearms department, and I was doing my nightly firearms reports. As I was walking up front to pick up some returns, I noticed six gangster looking guys walk through the one door that was still unlocked. Their timing and demeanor immediately made me question their motives.
I radioed for the manager in the parking lot to lock the doors behind them and write down license plate numbers. I told the customer service girls to be good witnesses and keep an eye on anyone who broke away from the group. As the posse made their way to the firearms department I told the employees to not do anything stupid, spread out, and most of all be a good witness.
I walked behind the firearms counter to “help” the guys when they reached me. As soon as they approached the counter I informed them that our store was closing and asked if there was anything that I could help them with. Without a seconds pause, they immediately listed off the things that they were looking for. With each item they listed I became more nervous. Every single item they wanted was in a different locked storage case. They wanted high end optics, a gun, and electronics. I knew that it wasn’t a coincidence that they were asking for us to unlock nearly all of our high end merchandise at once.
I told them that the manager had already taken all of the employee’s keys since our store was closed and that he had already pulled all of the cash registers. (which wasn’t true) I also informed them that the manager was outside in the parking lot. I figured that they would be less likely to rob us if they thought that we couldn’t access money or high dollar goods. They told me that they were okay waiting for the manager. As they were pacing around the department I noticed that multiple members of the group were sloppily carrying guns. While we were waiting for the manager I told one of the customer service girls to get her cell phone and be ready to run out the door calling 911.
The manager came back to the firearms department and informed the group that we were closed, the registers had already been pulled, and that they were welcome to come back the next day. The group exchanged a few quick glances between each other and decided to leave. As they were leaving the back of the store, each member went a different direction. This made it impossible for us to watch them. I assume that they were shoplifting whatever they could get their hands on since we had disrupted their plans. The front door was unlocked and they all left in their rental car.
It was a terrifying feeling to be so vulnerable, but I believe that I handled the situation to the best of my ability. I am positive that our proactive actions made them think that robbing us would be harder and slower than planned. Do you think we were almost robbed?
