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2021-02-18 -Lurid Crime Tales-

[SanFranciscoCBS] A store owner in Oakland’s Chinatown ended up behind bars Monday night after using a handgun to fight back in the latest of a string of violent crimes in the neighborhood.

The spate of recent attacks and violent robberies in the area have raised tensions.

UPDATE Oakland Police Source: Detectives Reluctant To Arrest Store Owner Who Foiled Robbery With Gun

As they look for a way to cool things down in their community, Chinatown officials and police walked door to door Tuesday afternoon, assuring business owners that they are taking the recent series of violent robberies seriously.

"Because with one person being robbed, that can have a negative impact on someone watching that," said Oakland Police Capt. Bobby Hookfin. "Even though they’re not the victim, they’re kind of in a concentric circle of a victim, because they see someone being victimized. So that can resonate as well."

It resonated Monday night. At about 5:30 p.m., a liquor store owner saw a woman being robbed of her camera at the corner of Ninth and Franklin. After seeing the woman knocked to the ground, the owner ran out with a gun, ordering the assailant to stop and reportedly firing four shots.

The suspect fled in a vehicle, but when police arrived, they took the business owner into custody.

"When I talk to the entire community they feel sad that someone is trying to help others and ends up to be the one arrested or being in custody," said Carl Chan.

As head of the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Chan has been working to calm nerves at the same time he is appealing for more police presence in the area. Armed security guards are already patrolling the streets, funded by donations from the public. Chan worries that without more cops, other business owners — like the man who was arrested Monday — will seek to deal with the problem themselves.

"So, I think many of the people feel strongly that we should be supporting the store owner," Chan said.

But he knows what will happen if his community becomes a place where safety can only come from the end of a gun.

"I am so worried because I heard the news that many people are trying to find ways to protect themselves," Chan explained. "And we do not believe that violence against violence is the way to go."

New Oakland Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong also addressed the incident in a live Facebook video Tuesday afternoon.

Posted by Deacon Blues 2021-02-18 09:13|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 But he knows what will happen if his community becomes a place where safety can only come from the end of a gun.

People will be safe?

Posted by Rob Crawford 2021-02-18 09:41|| 2021-02-18 09:41|| Front Page Top

#2 Calm nerves because brazen robberies? Or calm nerves because they arrested the Samaritan?

Posted by swksvolFF 2021-02-18 11:59|| 2021-02-18 11:59|| Front Page Top

#3 "And we do not believe that violence against violence is the way to go."

OK, genius! What's your plan?

Posted by AlmostAnonymous5839 2021-02-18 15:35|| 2021-02-18 15:35|| Front Page Top

#4 It appears in this case that the robber was considered a victim: not arrested and the police tried to protect the robber in his next robbery by sending a message to robbery targets that fighting back is not acceptable. Pathetic.

Posted by Airandee 2021-02-18 15:42|| 2021-02-18 15:42|| Front Page Top

#5 I can not wait to see some of these bastards hang.

Posted by Chris 2021-02-18 15:47|| 2021-02-18 15:47|| Front Page Top

#6 Democrats, go figure!

Posted by Seeking Cure For Ignorance 2021-02-18 20:34|| 2021-02-18 20:34|| Front Page Top

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