Preparedness
Drones and SWAT Nab Armed Robbery Ring Targeting Dollar Generals
In an innovative use of technology and manpower, Florida law enforcement recently employed drones and SWAT members to apprehend four individuals connected to a series of armed robberies. The Jacksonville police force managed to nab the suspects just minutes following their most recent heist at a Dollar General store.
Jacksonville Sheriff T. K. Waters delivered a media briefing this past Tuesday, revealing that the group, comprised of three men and one woman, had reportedly stolen approximately $11,000 from various Dollar General locations across Jacksonville using firearms. A determined Sheriff Waters declared, “They won’t be doing that anymore. Not in our city.”
The law enforcement authorities noted a consistent modus operandi across the four robberies. The suspects would strike at the cusp of the stores’ closing times. One criminal would be in charge of the getaway vehicle – a white Dodge Charger – while the remaining three, armed with guns, would enter the store.
Sheriff Waters shared that they had informed other Dollar General employees about the troubling pattern, and also utilised undisclosed technology to identify potential suspects and the vehicle.
After the fourth robbery on May 1, the police managed to apprehend the four suspects following a brief chase. The pursuit ended with the discharge of a firearm, but thankfully, no injuries were reported. Upon inspecting the car, the police discovered ski masks, three guns, and stolen cash and merchandise amounting to $3,500.
The suspects, identified as Jakeithiyah Daniel (25), Jackeri Lewis (26), Nathaniel Carter (23), and Tresonda Benefield (24), were taken into custody.
The authorities also executed a search warrant at the residences of two suspects, yielding clothing and a box of latex gloves identical to those used in the previous robberies.
Although none of the personnel involved in the robberies or the subsequent arrest were physically harmed, two of the Dollar General employees engulfed in the robbery situation elected not to return to work.
Tom Hackney, a retired police officer and current legal analyst for WJXT-TV, empathetically remarked, “It is life-altering. It impacts the way you see things after that for a very long time. They’re scared to death.”
Surveillance footage from the robberies, as well as drone video from the arrests, was secured by WJXT.
Addressing the solitary shot fired during the arrest, Waters said the incident is undergoing administrative review. However, he postulated that the action could be justified, as one of the suspects reportedly aimed a firearm at an officer. He stated, “The suspects could have lost their lives, and it would have been right for the police officers to be able to use force in that case.”
A representative for Dollar General’s corporate offices briefly commented on the incidents, but did not provide further details.
The four apprehended suspects now face charges of first-degree felony armed robbery.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Concealed Carrier Defends Against Alleged Threat in Road Rage Incident
A recent road rage incident in Illinois escalated to gunfire when a concealed-carrying motorist felt threatened by an approaching individual. The confrontation unfolded at the intersection of Busey Avenue and Park Street in Urbana, drawing a swift response from local police.
The altercation began as a verbal dispute between a man driving alone and a couple in another vehicle. Tensions rose when the solo driver attempted to distance himself from the pursuing pair by pulling into a hospital emergency room parking lot before exiting onto Park Street.
As the situation intensified, the couple continued their pursuit, stopping their car at Park Street. The female driver armed herself with a baseball bat, while her male passenger approached the lone motorist.
The solo driver, who held a concealed-carry permit, reported that the approaching male appeared to have his hand under his shirt, suggesting he might be armed. In response, the driver drew his legally concealed firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the male passenger.
Following the shooting, the driver promptly called 911 to report the incident. The injured male was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in intensive care.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made at this time. The police encourage anyone with information to come forward, offering options for private discussions or anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Mom’s Bold Confrontation Sparks Gunfire at Popeyes Showdown
In Jacksonville, Florida, a mother took matters into her own hands to confront an 18-year-old man who was allegedly engaging in inappropriate text exchanges with her 13-year-old daughter. The confrontation, which took place at a local Popeyes restaurant, escalated dramatically and ended with the suspect being shot.
According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Chief of Investigations Alan Parker, the suspect, Cerry Rodriques Banks, had been involved in “an inappropriate text relationship with a 13-year-old female.” Upon discovering these communications, the girl’s mother decided to intervene directly. She assumed her daughter’s identity by using her phone to communicate with Banks, setting up a meeting with him at the restaurant early on a Sunday morning.
When Banks arrived, he was expecting to meet the young girl but was instead confronted by the mother, her daughter, and her 11-year-old son. During the encounter, Banks allegedly pulled out a gun and ominously warned the mother, “When you hear the shots tonight, you know what’s up.”
The mother quickly ushered her children into the safety of the Popeyes and alerted the authorities. Despite having the opportunity to leave the scene, Banks remained outside the restaurant. When police officers arrived, they instructed Banks to “turn around and show his hands,” but he ignored the commands and attempted to flee.
“As the officer reaches the corner of the business, he observes the suspect pull the pistol from his waistband,” Parker explained. The officer, who has seven years of experience, ordered Banks to drop the weapon. When Banks did not comply, the officer fired, hitting Banks multiple times.
“The suspect continues to flee and, near a neighboring business, drops the gun,” Parker added. Banks managed to escape temporarily but was later captured in a drainage tunnel with the help of a K-9 unit. He sustained injuries to his hand, torso, and possibly his leg, and was provided medical care before being transported to a hospital.
Authorities recovered the firearm, which had not been discharged during the incident. Banks now faces several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, lewd and lascivious conduct, unlawful use of a communication device, and traveling to meet a minor for illicit purposes.
Jacksonville Sheriff T. K. Waters acknowledged the mother’s concern for her daughter but emphasized that such situations should be handled by law enforcement. “We’d absolutely love to handle every situation, but this is a mother who’s concerned about her daughter. So, I get it, I understand,” Waters stated. “But, I would say that in most cases, in situations like that, call us and let us come out and deal with the situation, so it doesn’t unfold like this.”
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Concealed-Carry Motorcyclist Defends Against Hammer-Wielding Aggressor
A concealed-carry motorcyclist was involved in a fatal incident in Maryland last week, which police have described as a road-rage confrontation. The motorcyclist, a 22-year-old with a valid Maryland concealed handgun carry permit, was traveling near Maryland Route 10 and Furnace Branch Road when he encountered an aggressive driver.
According to reports, the motorcyclist noticed another vehicle tailgating him and behaving erratically. The situation escalated when the driver, identified as 51-year-old Scott David Guhse, pulled alongside the motorcyclist, shouting at him. The two nearly collided during the encounter.
Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy explained, “At a certain point, he was sort of forced off the road, and then stopped. He ultimately had to lay down his bike.” The confrontation reached a critical point when both individuals stopped on East Furnace Branch Road at Margate Drive.
It was there that Guhse allegedly charged at the motorcyclist with a hammer. In response, the motorcyclist drew his handgun and fired, resulting in Guhse’s death at the scene, according to fire officials. The motorcyclist remained at the scene following the incident, cooperating with authorities.
“I heard a pop. I thought it sounded like gunfire,” Hyung Chang, owner of Against Our Odds Vape Shop in Glen Burnie, recounted. “Ten to 15 minutes later, started having police and everything show up.”
Chang remarked on the frequency of such incidents in the area, noting, “It’s unfortunate,” and adding that he witnesses similar altercations at least once a month. “People have to learn to tone things down a little bit and not take things so personal,” he advised.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Daniel Quigley
May 23, 2024 at 11:30 am
To me using a Drone keeps the population in the area much safer. Instead of the police chashing the vehicle putting everyone else on the road at risk, this allows them to follow that vehicle keeping the public and officers safer. We hear to often about a Car Chase gone wrong were innocent victims are hit and unfortunately sometimes injured or even killed while the criminals escape. A Drone is also about 10 thousand times cheaper than a Helocopter or Plane the Police also use. Just think a Drone that cost under 1 thousand dollars kept a million dollar Helo on the ground. People who think it’s not right or a invasion of privacy aren’t looking at the big picture. Those Criminals were being looked at anyway and instead of taking say another 6 months or possibly even a few more years putting thousands more at risk this ended their Rein of Terror. Next time you see a High Speed Police Chase on TV or witness 1 in person just remember all those innocent other drivers and pedestrians that high speed Chase puts at risk. I’d personally love to see the High Speed Chase come to a end Nationwide and every PD use Drones to Chase the Criminals from the Air. Plus the huge cost savings of not chasing them from the ground or using the expensive help and or plane. As we get more technology to use the criminals will have less of a chance to get away. It’s also better than having those Big Brother Video Cameras on every street corner like NYC has.
Joe Forish
May 23, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Didn’t they look like the salt of the earth people, you know just chillin. I’m glad it happened in Florida instead of New York or Bragg would have let them loose. May be it would have been better if they did start a gun fight and we would not have to pay for locking them up etc.
Paul
May 26, 2024 at 5:06 pm
4 more pieces of crap off the streets. Unfortunately some dumb ass defender and or judge will let them off with a slap on the wrist. Then, the dumbasscrats can claim that violent crime is dropping. When anyone with a brain can clearly deduce, that it is failure to prosecute that drives their crime numbers dowm!