Armed Citizen: LI deli owner pulls gun, pays robber‏

[mrreynolds]

A Long Island deli owner pulled a gun on a would-be robber and then gave him cash.

Mohammad Sohail, who owns the Shirley Express, says a bat-wielding man entered the convenience store and demanded money on Thursday, May 21, just after midnight.

Sohail responded by pulling out a rifle. The suspect then reportedly dropped to his knees and begged forgiveness, blaming the tough economy for his turn to crime.

The Pakistani immigrant, who has been on Long Island for more than 20 years, put down his gun and gave the man $40 and a loaf of bread.

"He started crying," Sohail told Newsday. "He was saying, 'I have no money. I have no food. I have no job. I have to take care of my family.'"

Sohail told the man to promise he would never rob anyone again, and then gave him the cash and bread. He says that when he went to get the man some milk, the suspect fled the scene on foot.

Sohail then called 911. Police, who confirmed the account, say the incident is under investigation.

Still, Sohail told Newsday that he does not want the robber to end up in jail.

"I told him, 'Please, don't rob anybody again,'" Sohail told the newspaper. "I hope he learned something."

LINK

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Jackle1886]

Umm......o.k.a.y......

[ccw9mm]

I simply hope the armed robber doesn't pay back a citizen in spades.

[Bunny]

Right.

And telling him "Please don't rob anyone again" and then GIVING HIM MONEY will definitely work. Like those "no weapons" signs and restraining orders, right?

I'm swaying back and forth, singing Kumbaya now...

[chains1240]

Wow. Ok, just my opinion but didn't he just reward this guy for robbing him, he enabled him? Whether the robber stole the money or the store owner have him the money "willingly" the end still justified the means. This robber will be out there in less than 48 hours doing the same thing.

[falcon1]

Well, I guess only time will tell if this act of mercy makes a good difference or a bad difference. I certainly hope it is the former.

It certainly would not have been my choice; I fear a criminal has just been enabled and may take the lesson, "Note to self--next time, have a gun!" I hope I am wrong, but hope doesn't seem to triumph over experience often enough to suit me.

[smotta]

BANG....BANG

:click: :dial dial dial: "Tampa PD...?"

"Clean up, isle 2"

[JonInNY]

A random act of kindness? Maybe. Only time will tell, but who knows. Maybe he turned this guy's life around.

It's sort of like the main character in Les Miserables, Jean Valjean, who steals a loaf a bread, and goes through a life changing metamorphosis.

I would love to follow-up on this story in five years!

[shooterX]

I agree with JonInNY, maybe, just maybe, this guy will turn things around, if what he said was true, and he isn't a career criminal, maybe this act of kindness will help him see the error in his ways. A follow up would be interesting.

[tinkerinWstuff]

The local Fox channel covered this story this morning and showed the in store video of the event.

Maybe I've become bitter, but I don't believe that an honest person with a hungry family starts robbing stores for cash.

[Jcabin]

The sad thing is, I know of stories like these from my fathers day and days past of when my family came here from Italy. Many times were people given second chances in small communities and they turned themselves around because they were given a helping hand instead of being killed or beaten. The problem is society has crumbled so far since then. I feel the deli owner had a good heart but unfortunately, this time he let the thief get the better of him.

[retsupt99]

The BG had the opportunity to plead his case prior to the attempted robbery.
He's still a criminal...OMO

[Landor]

I have mixed feeling on this. I am all for charity and forgiveness but this just does not seem like a good case. I guess it is all faith because Mr. Sohail knew nothing about this guy.

[BradyM77]

I would love to live in fairyland but the simple fact is this guy went in there with a WEAPON to FORCE an honest business owner to give him money. He used the THREAT of VIOLENCE to get cash.

He didn't go in there begging before he tried violence. He's not reformed, he just switched tactics when presented with an armed victim...and it worked. He got some money and a loaf of bread. Not much of either but he learned an important lesson, even in Anti-Gun NY, NEVER come to a possible gunfight with a bat!

[tbrenke]

2 chest, 1 head.
no more RESION to commit armed robery. and as a bonus, you saved tax dollars.