Don't Fuck With This Store Owner In California Or He'll Blow Your Arm Off Your Body

ABC - A man armed with a rifle was shot by a quick-acting convenience store owner who pulled a shotgun out from behind the counter and opened fire during an attempted robbery in Southern California.

The faceoff was recorded by surveillance cameras at the convenience store around 2:45 a.m. Sunday in Norco, a city that bills itself as “Horsetown USA.”

Four suspects, their faces covered, pulled up to the business in a BMW SUV and walked inside the store with their rifles pointed, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The owner grabbed a shotgun and fired one round from behind the counter, according to video aired by KCBS-TV. An employee identified the owner as an 80-year-old man to the TV station. The suspects fled as one screamed, “He shot my arm off, he shot my arm off!"

The sheriff's department commended the employee's actions. “In this case, a lawfully armed member of our community prevented a violent crime and ensured their own safety, while being confronted with multiple armed suspects," according to a statement.

Authorities found the injured suspect in a hospital, suffering from a gunshot wound that appeared to be from a shotgun blast. The other three suspects were found at the hospital in the BMW, which had been previously reported as stolen. Law enforcement found stolen guns in the SUV. Three suspects were arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy. They are being held on $500,000 bail.

The main suspect remained in the hospital in critical but stable condition. He will be booked into jail after he is released from the hospital.

Craig Cope is one bad mother fucker.

This guy has probably been manning the counter at his little shop in Norco, CA (aka Horse Town) for decades, just waiting for some goofy jabroni to try him. Did you see how he had that gun positioned? Disguised behind the counter but ready at a moment's notice?

Like the crazy Jamaican guy in Belly.

"Who wanna test me!"

Well these bank robbers picked the wrong old man to mess with. And now they're down a limb.

Hopefully, this guy doesn't get the book thrown at him like the bodega worker in NYC did last month. 

Life is hard out there for armed robbers these days. Store owners are strapped, and not looking to be trifled with. 

Armed robbers need to keep their heads on swivels. Because Craig Cope is right. It's hard to run a small business. We've all got bills to pay.  So let it be know that if you come into Craig Cope's store armed, you will be leaving unarmed. (zing)