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Oklahoma Jewelry Store Robber Killed
texshooter
Member Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭✭
MARIETTA -- An armed robbery attempt at a local jewelry store ended Wednesday (July 10 2002) with one robber dead and three others empty-handed and on the run.
Marietta Police Chief Mike Buxton said Ronnie and Barbara Norton, owners and operators of Norton's Jewelry Store were the targets of the ill-fated holdup.
"Mrs. Norton was at the front of the store and Mr. Norton was in the back when two black men entered," Buxton said. "One stayed in the front, the other went toward the back. They began asking about jewelry. Barbara Norton noticed the man near her husband pull out what she believed was a gun. She opened the door and started screaming. The one (suspect) near her pulled her back inside the store and she heard an exchange of what she believed was gun fire. She thought her husband was being shot."
Norton apparently grabbed his own gun when he saw the robber's weapon. Buxton said gunfire was exchanged inside the store and Norton and the robber struggled. Norton was able to disarm the robber, who Buxton said was carrying a 9 mm, semi-automatic handgun.
During the skirmish, the robber sustained at least one gunshot wound before both assailants fled the store. Nothing was stolen.
"The deceased tried to make it to a car parked in front. He died in front of the store," Buxton said. "The other two made it to the car."
An eyewitness told lawmen, the car, which was occupied by two more men, was a dark brown or gold vehicle. Other witnesses later reported seeing the car pull up at a local baseball field seconds after the attempted robbery occurred.
"Two black men jumped out of the first car and into a second, silver-colored, vehicle," Buxton said.
District Attorney Task Force agents, who are leading the investigation, said while the three remaining robbers may have managed to get away, but they left evidence behind.
"Evidence linked to the three suspects was found in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 and near an off ramp," Agent Gary Watson said.
And evidence discovered at or in the vicinity of the scene-of-the-crime isn't the only information lawmen have about the group.
"They are linked to other robberies in the state," said Agent Kevin McIntire.
All four robbers were dressed alike in long-sleeve white shirts and dark pants. All are believed to be in their mid- to late-20s. One of the men is described as 6 feet tall and weighing 300-325 pounds.
District Attorney Mitch Sperry, who was on the scene Wednesday night described the incident as "incredibly fortunate for the Norton's."
Buxton called the robbery, "tragic." He said the local jeweler and his wife were, "shaken, but they're good, strong Christian people. They'll be all right."
Lab technicians with Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation were called to process evidence at the store. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Love County Sheriff's Department are also assisting in the case.
(copied from an Oklahoma newspaper)
Marietta Police Chief Mike Buxton said Ronnie and Barbara Norton, owners and operators of Norton's Jewelry Store were the targets of the ill-fated holdup.
"Mrs. Norton was at the front of the store and Mr. Norton was in the back when two black men entered," Buxton said. "One stayed in the front, the other went toward the back. They began asking about jewelry. Barbara Norton noticed the man near her husband pull out what she believed was a gun. She opened the door and started screaming. The one (suspect) near her pulled her back inside the store and she heard an exchange of what she believed was gun fire. She thought her husband was being shot."
Norton apparently grabbed his own gun when he saw the robber's weapon. Buxton said gunfire was exchanged inside the store and Norton and the robber struggled. Norton was able to disarm the robber, who Buxton said was carrying a 9 mm, semi-automatic handgun.
During the skirmish, the robber sustained at least one gunshot wound before both assailants fled the store. Nothing was stolen.
"The deceased tried to make it to a car parked in front. He died in front of the store," Buxton said. "The other two made it to the car."
An eyewitness told lawmen, the car, which was occupied by two more men, was a dark brown or gold vehicle. Other witnesses later reported seeing the car pull up at a local baseball field seconds after the attempted robbery occurred.
"Two black men jumped out of the first car and into a second, silver-colored, vehicle," Buxton said.
District Attorney Task Force agents, who are leading the investigation, said while the three remaining robbers may have managed to get away, but they left evidence behind.
"Evidence linked to the three suspects was found in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 and near an off ramp," Agent Gary Watson said.
And evidence discovered at or in the vicinity of the scene-of-the-crime isn't the only information lawmen have about the group.
"They are linked to other robberies in the state," said Agent Kevin McIntire.
All four robbers were dressed alike in long-sleeve white shirts and dark pants. All are believed to be in their mid- to late-20s. One of the men is described as 6 feet tall and weighing 300-325 pounds.
District Attorney Mitch Sperry, who was on the scene Wednesday night described the incident as "incredibly fortunate for the Norton's."
Buxton called the robbery, "tragic." He said the local jeweler and his wife were, "shaken, but they're good, strong Christian people. They'll be all right."
Lab technicians with Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation were called to process evidence at the store. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Love County Sheriff's Department are also assisting in the case.
(copied from an Oklahoma newspaper)