Man attempts to rob recycling plant

[Tabdus]

Posted on Fri, Oct. 19, 2007


Robber slain at recycling center
2 employees outgun would-be thief
By DAVID GAMBACORTA & DANA DiFILIPPO

gambacd@phillynews.com 215-854-5994

An armed would-be thief was killed yesterday morning when he lost a gunbattle with two tough employees at a Germantown recycling center.
The man, who police last night had not been able to identify, approached two workers at David Geppert Recycling Inc., on Wayne Avenue near Windrim, and pretended to be a customer who was interested in trash containers.

The conversation changed when he abruptly whipped out a loaded .380-caliber handgun, announced that he was robbing the place and shoved one of the employees to the ground, said Homicide Sgt. Anthony McFadden.

When the robber turned his attention to the second employee, the other one took cover, pulled out his own gun and started firing.

Within seconds, the second employee also pulled out a weapon, and all three men were blasting away, McFadden said.

When the smoke cleared, the thief was on the ground, having been struck at least three times. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medics at 9:40 a.m.

McFadden said investigators likely will have to rely on fingerprints to identify the man, because he was carrying fake identification.

The homicide was ruled justifiable, and neither of the employees will face charges.

"The district attorney's office read over their statements and the witness statements, and both men were cleared by the investigation," McFadden said.

The recycling center has been robbed several times in the past, but employees told police they don't think the unidentified thief had been there before.

Jim Jones, 44, who works at a textile business across the street and who took the accompanying photograph, said he ran outside when he saw swarms of police cruisers arriving at the scene.

"I think everyone feels good for the [workers] because that guy woke up today and decided he was just going to rob someone," Jones said. "He lost." *

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[1911NM]

+2

I love it when the BG is outnumbered by GG shooters.

[rabywk]

Not just oops I robbed the wrong buy, but holy crap I robbed the wrong group of guys.

Would loved to have seen the look on his face when he realized that not just one of them was armed, but both were.

[QKShooter]

Now the bad guy will help make the grass grow greener.
He is all used up and his organic container is ready for recycling.

I was just thinking...this bad guy will now feed the worms.
Birds will eat those worms along with seeds. The birds will be able to fly further due to eating those fat juicy bad guy worms.

The bird droppings will contain plant and tree seeds that will sprout.
This deceased Bad Guy may be responsible for the birth of an entire new forest someplace.
Thanks Mr. Bad Guy!

THINK GREEN!

[cphilip]

Lots of big money at a recycling operation. Lots of cash on hand. Most of them pay cash for Copper and Aluminum. And with Copper up at $3.25 a pound one can carry $1,000 worth of it in a pickup truck bed. Not too surprising a crook would target one.

[Thumper]

Hot damn... a pool cleaning duet!

[simon]

Another one bites the dust,I wonder if BG had a Ah-Ha! moment while he was ventilated at that business..

[retsupt99]

Nothing beats producing 'waste' right at the recycling center...it eliminates a truck pickup...

[Thumper]

That's good!

[500Mag]

One downside to this. Adds to the homicide rate, even if it is justifiable.

[vic2367]

one more BG down,,,good

[jofrdo]

Just imagine the "Oh s**t" adrenaline rush the BG experienced when both employees drew on him. The first employee sought cover first, then fired. He was mentally prepared for just this tactical scenario.

[ccw9mm]

Robber Slain At Recycling Center

[The robber] abruptly whipped out a loaded .380-caliber handgun, announced that he was robbing the place and shoved one of the employees to the ground, said Homicide Sgt. Anthony McFadden.

The title of the story should have read: "Felon Commits Suicide By Threatening Innocents."

A person should be able to reap what he sows. He earned it ... in spades.

[gasmitty]

Yet another death due to "acute failure of the victim selection process!"

[BigEFan]

Whooooops. Another one bites the dust.