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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2005 > September > 17 > Entry
Angry Samurai, cringing shoplifter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two guys came into the Roswell Road service station to steal some stuff. The manager saw this and confronted one of the subjects.
An argument ensued and escalated when the other shoplifter intervened and pushed the manager away. A store employee came to the aid of the manager and, as the story goes, the offender grabbed a beer bottle and raised it up as if to hit the manager.
The manager grabbed a Samurai sword that just happened to be on a stand and raised it at the same time the offender was now raising his hands to protect himself.
In the process, the sword cut the shoplifter. The store video confirmed the story.
The manager and the offender were each charged with simple battery and released on a copy of charges.
Scum of the week
A woman called and said her recently ex-live-in boyfriend was visiting her in the hospital while she was recovering from back surgery. She had just broken up with him.
While at the hospital, the former boyfriend struck her in the head, causing a bump and a scratch on her face. He also threatened to stomp on her back. The two were living together but he is in the process of moving to another location while she recovers.
My cousin made me do it
A shopper at a State Bridge Road discount store was arrested for allegedly taking several items and putting them in her purse.
The woman told the officer that her cousin called her on her cell phone while she was at the store and made her steal the items.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By unkj
September 17, 2005 3:58 PM | Link to this
simple battery charge on the manager who was defending himself. shame he didnt decapitate the shoplifter.
By Bob A
September 18, 2005 3:19 PM | Link to this
Re the Samurai Manager: How is it that the store manager is charged, when he was defending himself against an individual preparing to hit him with a bottle? Was he supposed to wait until after he was hit and injured before taking defensive action? Something is seriously wrong with the system here.
By paulfromatlanta
September 18, 2005 6:21 PM | Link to this
Ok, so the “shoplifter intervened and pushed the manager away.” Then “the offender grabbed a beer bottle and raised it up as if to hit the manager.”
So, the manager is assaulted and threatened with a weapon and then defends himself. What do the police do? Arrest the manager for self defense.
Either the story is inaccurate or the policeman should be fired.
By punkinfromStl
September 19, 2005 8:31 AM | Link to this
The offender pushed the manager=Simple Battery. The manager cut the offender=Simple Battery. If the offender had actually come at the manager with the beer bottle, the cut would have been self defense. The offender put his hands up in defeat and was cut=Simple battery. Not right, but how it goes…
By Dianna
September 19, 2005 9:14 AM | Link to this
Put me on the jury.
By Tom
September 19, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this
Calm down, everyone. The key word here is “charged”. Not convicted, not sentenced. In all probability the charges against the store manager will be dismissed. At least, let’s hope so.
By Nancy
September 19, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this
Re: “Scum of the Week”, are some women so desperate or is sex so powerful that a woman would actually be attracted to this creep? I’m really sorry she went through what she did but it sounds to me that the relationship (a) had nothing going for it other than animal attraction, and (b) probably began over too many beers.
The other question is, where was hospital security?
By Jack
September 20, 2005 8:21 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure that this rises to the level of the carjacker who got shot by the passerby who saw what was happening but if the manager grabbed the sword when the shoplifter raised a beer bottle at him, I’m not sure he should be the one charged with simple battery, too. It seems that the manager was doing what seems natural when someone is tring to steal somethine and the bad guy should have been charged with assault, attempted robbery and some other stuff.
By Jean S Reed
September 20, 2005 9:03 AM | Link to this
The moral of the story is that you turn the cheek but truly the manager should have let the system work. Call the police to report the stealing. Do not take matters into your on hands. Theft is a crime. It’s not worth you life.
By kay
September 20, 2005 10:46 AM | Link to this
Would someone tell me that I did not hear this right the other night…CNN said there were 2000 children missing in the gulf area after Katrina.
If, indeed I heard this right, is this not where the Red Cross comes in? I thought one of their main responsibilities was keeping track of people after a disaster….or at least it used to be. I cannot believe that there is not a data base of “lost and found” people that can be readily accessed.
Someone, please tell me I heard this wrong…and that there is such a list…an accurate list. I am fully aware that some, because of their IM status in this country would not avail themselves of this and possible others running from the law, but “2000 missing children”?????
It was rather ironic when I heard this as I was thinking about a way to match up missing pets and their owners….knowing how much a pet can mean to a child or senior and the need for love and normalicy at a time like this….and “2000 missing children”????
Someone tell me I heard this wrong..or clarify it for me.
Prayers to all there….and another to help divert the storm possibly headed that way now.
By Bill
September 20, 2005 4:50 PM | Link to this
I can’t confirm the number of missing children, but I can tell you that there are a lot of folks missing in New Orleans, including children. The Red Cross has a database of those that are missing and the whereabouts of the person or persons looking for them.
By Pamela
September 21, 2005 9:39 AM | Link to this
I, for one am APPALLED and SADDENED to know that there are so many children that are missing and seperated from their parents. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? As a parent that has lost a child from illness, I can truly understand what trauma these parents are experiencing. To not know where your child is even for 1 (one)hour has devastating, everlasting, emotional effects on a parent, NOT TO MENTION THE LONGLIFE MENTAL EFFECT OF THE CHILD. —-WHY AREN’T WE AS CITIZENS MORE VOCAL about this SITUATION. WHY ISN’T THE MEDIA MAKING THIS A TOP PRORITY EVERYDAY!!! If a story about 1 (one) RUNAWAY BRIDE was so important (even though I sympathized with her parents while she was missing)-why isn’t the story about 2000 MISSING CHILDREN as important!!! How can someone say that they have rescued my child but you can’t tell me where they are? It shouldn’t take a ROCKET SCIENTIST to at least document the street names where adults and children were rescued from. SHAME ON LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN——SHAME ON THE MEDIA FOR NOT MAKING THIS A TOP PRIORITY EVERYDAY!!! We know that the MEDIA can do more. If you don’t believe me, Just ask the MOTHER of the child that is missing is ARUBA.
By Jex
September 21, 2005 11:17 AM | Link to this
I have volunteered with the Red Cross to help Katrina evacuees. They do have a database with names and addresses. The sad part is that a lot of these children don’t know their parents’ full name or street address, and therein lies the problem.
By Ruby Hollender
September 22, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this
I feel so sorry for those kids. I strongly believe it is very important for kids to know their home address, phone number and their parents or guardian’s names. Knowing address is required to pass kindergarten, but I believe this could be taught as early as 2 or 3 years of age. My husband and I taught our daughter address and phone number when she was almost 3 yr old, and now that she is five, she could give you directions to get home from closest highway or closest places like her school. It is a safety measure, I urge parents to do the same.