Robbery Victims Fighting Back

There have been several armed robberies of Subway sandwich shops in Anchorage, over the last few years. My oldest daughter was working in one when a guy came in, showed them a gun in his waistband, and demanded cash.

Several more have taken place since that one, including a recent instance where an employee handed over the cash in the register and was pistol-whipped for her trouble.

Today's story is different.

Two employees at a Spenard sandwich shop detained a would-be robber this morning after the man said he had a gun and demanded money, Anchorage police said. 

A caller at the Subway store on West Northern Lights Boulevard reported the robbery to 911 dispatchers at 9:52 a.m., said police spokesman Lt. Dave Parker.

"Within about 30 seconds, we get the call back that the employees had him down on the ground," Parker said.

Police said Alvin L. Archa Jr., 48, walked in the store, put his hand in his pocket and claimed to have a gun. When he demanded cash, two employees came out of the back of the store and grabbed him, Parker said.

"We don't always encourage people to do that, but we try to encourage people only to act and react as the circumstances surrounding the robbery require," Parker said.

Police arrived a few minutes later and arrested Archa. He did not have a gun, Parker said.

Read the rest at the link.