Desertdog
Member
I wonder if this will reduce the number of robberies at this location.
Robber killed in gunfight with recycling employees
After many holdups, the Germantown site's owner said, he allowed workers to carry guns.
By Barbara Boyer and Dwight Ott
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/loca...led_in_gunfight_with_recycling_employees.html
Inquirer Staff Writers
Robberies have made the recycling business so dangerous for David Geppert, shot two years ago during a holdup, that he gave his blessing to employees who said they wanted to carry guns to work.
Yesterday morning, Geppert said he felt blessed that none of his employees at his Germantown facility was injured during a gun battle between a robber and two employees. The robber was shot and died.
"We're like a little family here," Geppert said of the seven people employed at David Geppert Recycling in the 4500 block of Wayne Avenue, a busy commercial byway.
The drama started shortly after 9 a.m., when a man entered the facility and approached four employees sorting materials in a garage. He posed as a customer and said he had a large number of old radiators he wanted to sell as scrap metal.
Employees noticed he was acting oddly. They also noticed a bulge at his side.
Then, police and Geppert said, the man pulled a .380-caliber automatic and demanded cash.
Two employees were armed - and all three began firing.
Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl said the robber fired at least three shots and the workers - both of whom declined to comment - about seven. Police do not expect to file charges in the case.
Only the robber, who ran about 100 yards and collapsed, was hit by gunfire, Riehl said. One of the employees was shaken up and taken to a nearby hospital for observation.
Authorities had a tentative identification on the robber that was not released pending confirmation.
"I'm glad that none of my employees was injured," Geppert said. "I hope it set a precedent that we're going to keep on protecting ourselves."
On Dec. 31, 2004, Geppert was shot during a robbery. The alleged gunman was charged and acquitted after a jury trial. Since opening the business in 1992, Geppert said he's been robbed about a dozen times.
"I hope this is the last one," he said.
Employees are instructed to give up the cash to robbers to stay safe.
Geppert said he has decreased buying scrap metal from walk-ins to limit the amount of cash kept on the premises.
Yesterday, to better protect employees, he said he will only accept commercial debris from vendors who will accept checks or credit.
Others in the neighborhood said that the area has become too dangerous, and some said that they, too, keep sidearms.
"Enough is enough," said Carl Cooper, who works at the Mom & Pop Deli at Wayne and Roberts Avenue and heard the morning gunshots.
Cooper raised his sweater and displayed the gun he keeps on his hip and the permit he keeps in his wallet.
"If we let the criminals do what they want to do, it's no good," Cooper said. "You have to have a gun to protect yourself."
Cooper's friend, Ray Young, agreed.
"Right now," Young said, "we have to watch each other's backs."
Robber killed in gunfight with recycling employees
After many holdups, the Germantown site's owner said, he allowed workers to carry guns.
By Barbara Boyer and Dwight Ott
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/loca...led_in_gunfight_with_recycling_employees.html
Inquirer Staff Writers
Robberies have made the recycling business so dangerous for David Geppert, shot two years ago during a holdup, that he gave his blessing to employees who said they wanted to carry guns to work.
Yesterday morning, Geppert said he felt blessed that none of his employees at his Germantown facility was injured during a gun battle between a robber and two employees. The robber was shot and died.
"We're like a little family here," Geppert said of the seven people employed at David Geppert Recycling in the 4500 block of Wayne Avenue, a busy commercial byway.
The drama started shortly after 9 a.m., when a man entered the facility and approached four employees sorting materials in a garage. He posed as a customer and said he had a large number of old radiators he wanted to sell as scrap metal.
Employees noticed he was acting oddly. They also noticed a bulge at his side.
Then, police and Geppert said, the man pulled a .380-caliber automatic and demanded cash.
Two employees were armed - and all three began firing.
Homicide Lt. Philip Riehl said the robber fired at least three shots and the workers - both of whom declined to comment - about seven. Police do not expect to file charges in the case.
Only the robber, who ran about 100 yards and collapsed, was hit by gunfire, Riehl said. One of the employees was shaken up and taken to a nearby hospital for observation.
Authorities had a tentative identification on the robber that was not released pending confirmation.
"I'm glad that none of my employees was injured," Geppert said. "I hope it set a precedent that we're going to keep on protecting ourselves."
On Dec. 31, 2004, Geppert was shot during a robbery. The alleged gunman was charged and acquitted after a jury trial. Since opening the business in 1992, Geppert said he's been robbed about a dozen times.
"I hope this is the last one," he said.
Employees are instructed to give up the cash to robbers to stay safe.
Geppert said he has decreased buying scrap metal from walk-ins to limit the amount of cash kept on the premises.
Yesterday, to better protect employees, he said he will only accept commercial debris from vendors who will accept checks or credit.
Others in the neighborhood said that the area has become too dangerous, and some said that they, too, keep sidearms.
"Enough is enough," said Carl Cooper, who works at the Mom & Pop Deli at Wayne and Roberts Avenue and heard the morning gunshots.
Cooper raised his sweater and displayed the gun he keeps on his hip and the permit he keeps in his wallet.
"If we let the criminals do what they want to do, it's no good," Cooper said. "You have to have a gun to protect yourself."
Cooper's friend, Ray Young, agreed.
"Right now," Young said, "we have to watch each other's backs."
