Gas Station Clerks Fight Back Against Robbers With Baseball Bat
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FLORIDA CITY(CBSMiami) -- New surveillance shows two clerks at a Shell gas station fighting back against two robbers who stormed into their store and started attacking them with a baseball bat.
The tape shows them fighting back and at one point, a clerk grabs the bat and strikes one of the suspects several times, knocking him down before he flees.
An employee at the station told CBS4's Peter D'Oench that the incident happened just before 2:30 p.m. last Saturday at the busy Shell station on the corner of South Dixie Highway and Palm Ave. in Florida City.
"This was very shocking," said station customer Brandy Dease. "No one should come in and take something that doesn't belong to them. I'm glad the clerks fought back. They should protect themselves."
"I think more people should fight back," said station customer Chris Hutchinson. "We would have fewer people taking stuff that way."
The cameras at the store captured the two robbers walking up to the store and then immediately approaching the counter clerks, 25-year-old Emanuez Santos and 29-year-old Joseph Aguilera.
One of the robbers slams the bat against the cash register and then goes behind the counter and starts swinging the bat wildly at the two clerks. Police say Santos is struck in the head and arm.
As this is going on, a second suspect climbs over the counter and takes $300 from the register before Aguilera grabs him and he falls to the ground.
The tape shows Santos grabbing the baseball bat and then hitting the robber several times. He falls down against a merchandise rack, as the store manager tries to grab his leg. Santos strikes him several times with the bat.
A police report said the store manager tries to restrain that suspect but he is able to break free. He appears to be dazed and he stumbles out of the store and flees with his accomplice.
Police say they take off southbound in a gold-colored SUV. It's not known if they have struck other businesses before.
Another station customer, Daniela Arfanis, said, "I don't think I'd fight back because of the value of my life and not wanting to put myself in harm's way for material objects but I do admire the fact that he took charge."
Station customer Tory Lyons-Fuorny said, "That's absolutely horrifying but I think that guy is a tough guy to fight back and defend his store. All I can say is good for him."
Station customer Emerson Moss of Southwest Miami-Dade said, "Somebody coming in with a baseball bat means damage, had wanted to hurt an individual. But I'd rather that than guns any day. I'm not saying that's okay that this happened. I'm just glad that nobody really got hurt in that place."
"This clerk was in danger and I know he feared for his life and didn't know what was going to happen in this situation," said Moss. "I think he did the right thing."
Anyone with information about this case should call Florida City Police at (305) 247-8223 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and there is a reward of up to $1,000.
