They see the cashier as their personal ATM, and all it will take to make a withdrawal is the threat of violence or possibly causing harm to this innocent victim.
Only, sometimes that courageous victim fights back.
That was the situation Friday when the cashier at a San Antonio 7-Eleven just north of downtown found themselves facing an alleged armed robber. As usual, it was in the late overnight hours when there is less foot traffic, and this instance occurred just before 12:30 a.m.
The suspect reportedly threatened the cashier with his firearm and demanded money from the register. That did not happen.
Instead, the 28-year-old clerk produced his own firearm and began shooting. Both fired at each other, and the alleged robber fled the scene. The cashier believes the assailant was struck by one of his rounds before he ran away.
San Antonio police canvassed the area with both an Eagle helicopter and K-9 units but were unable to locate the possibly wounded suspect.
A 34-year-old customer was slightly grazed by a bullet in the leg and was treated at the scene by emergency crews. The clerk was not wounded, and police say the investigation into the shootout is ongoing.
Violent criminals believe that clerks working alone in the dead of night are soft targets and easy prey. They envision a quick getaway with a handful of cash, and if someone is hurt in the process, that’s a chance worth taking to make off with their money.
But, and it seems to be more often lately, the would-be prey does not always follow the criminal’s script. That’s when the tables are turned, and it should serve as a cautionary tale for those who would victimize the innocent.
