Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on August 24, 2009 at 11:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is getting ridiculous. These thugs need to be stopped. Hopefully they'll be caught soon.

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If this were a larger city like B'ham or Mobile or New York the officials would say that this is gang related or drugs related. Personally I think it is economy related. Where I work we deal with the poorest of the poor and that number seems to be rising lately. My caseload has increased by more than 40% in the past 3 months alone. How can anyone say that the economy is getting better? Perhaps we are just getting used to the hard times, so it doesn't seem as bad????

As for this crime spree we are having, it seems to be spreading from the interstate to down town. When it becomes unsafe down town then we have become another B'ham or New York. How can we as a society justify letting this happen?

Posted by SECorBust (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They left on foot huh? and the police couldn't get them? I'd run them down with my car. That would be a good days civic duty. It may be drug related, they're not stealing to put money in the offering plate.

Chief Stillwell this is completely unaccecptable. These guys should have already been caught.

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A similar string of situations happened a few years back and it was drug related. Not that I know that many thieves, but the ones I have known have done it to support some illegal habbit or just for the high of the act itself. That is why I would guess this may be drug related. And if it is economy related, wouldn't they have gotten enough money at one robbery to suffice for a while? Helloooooo, didn't anyone see anything at this one? There is like 5 or so businesses there and people are always back behind there. Why aren't people using more caution? These guys are getting really really brave and are probably getting off on their numerous successes. I just hope they don't get more violent.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

kw: What have you got against "white Colonels"? Just curious.

The simple fact of the matter is, whether the goody-two-shoes among us like to believe it or not, that if some of these worthless, robbing, animalistic, stinking scum start ending up with a large hole through their heads when they rob businesses then the word would start getting out among the scum that "those folks in Clanton just ain't gonna put up with our crap!"

So, to those that think the cops have a really good handle on crime around here, how's this story, when added to similar stories of the last two or three weeks, working for ya? Again, I don't expect the cops to prevent this, it is up to each of US to prevent this. If businesses won't take the steps necessary to deal with this problem themselves then they sure don't need to complain about it. You've got to be your own police, how much more proof do people need?

Posted by southernpride (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I doubt it has anything to do with the economy. HONEST people will find a job somewhere if it is only picking up cans off the side of the road not go out and steal.

Or at least depend on family and friends for help, not run out and steal.

I would be willing to bet that these thugs have always been dishonest and willing to steal at the drop of a hat!

Posted by njones (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The lessons of honesty and integrity start in the cradle...parents being role models and actually teaching your child right from wrong with stated consequences....
Not sure if this is politically correct, but this is how I feel.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is very true, njones. Too many kids are allowed to raise themselves nowadays, hence the problems in schools and everywhere else.

Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a former Alltel customer who has tried to do business in that store now that Verizon bought them I have to say I'm surprised that the robbers weren't told that they couldn't rob at this store but rather had to go to Prattville to a corporate store.

I may be slammed by some for making a joke about it but you don't know what we just went through trying to replace a phone.

Posted by southernpride (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Miss Katherine,

I love your post. I don't think anyhone should slam you for what you said.

In this politically correct world the truth hurts some.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

KathrineReece, I personally think all the little store front phone companies share that in common.
What kills me you buy insurance on a phone and pay for it each month on your bill and if you need a new phone you still have to pay the little store fronts 50.00 to replace an insured phone. And the one they replace it with is a refurbished phone that was exchanged by someone else. and even then will most likely have a waiting time. As you I am surprised they were not sent to an alternate location or told there was a 3 day delivery time.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I like the Headlines on ABCNews.com
this morining.
The Obama Administration Predicts Unemployment and Deficits Far Worse Than Previously Stated.
It all sounds like a FishTail out of a Plan gone wrong to me. but then they might have just been reading the CA's recent articles concerning all these robberies.

Posted by southernpride (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That is like the penalty they charge if you close your account before your contract expires no matter your reason.

I have cancelled three contracts due to reasons that varied from moving to bad service and not paid any fee for terminating my account early.

I always ask for the binding arbitration that they have in their contract. I also use the citation of the California Court that states these type contracts where the consumer can not termintate the contract early but the provider can do so for a number of reasons are unfair and not legal.

I can't think of the case citation off the top of my head but am sure it is on the internet.

I don't advocate cancelling your contract for no reason but if your service is not good or etc you should be able to terminate the contract.

Posted by CrimusK8T (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

" I'm surprised that the robbers weren't told that they couldn't rob at this store but rather had to go to Prattville to a corporate store."

Katherine-
HA HA HA HA HA !!! That was too funny-love it!

Posted by dottie2008 (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

With all these robberies happening Clanton will soon have a name for itself. Want to rob someone or a place go to Clanton.
They can't catch you.
The people that own these places need to make sure that there policies are in place and that the people that work there are following them.
Anyone knows that most robberies can be prevented.
The back door open is an invitation for someone to rob you.
They should get rid of people that don't follow the policies that are in place. Being that it was right at closing the back door should have never been open in the first place.
And second everyone there is aware of all the robberies that has been taken place over the past few weeks.
Clanton is getting as bad as Birmingham and other bigger cities. Is anyone safe?
The way it looks I would say No...

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wake up everyday wondering who got robbed last night. It is kind of embarrassing that they can't catch these guys. It makes me hope that we don't ever have anything really terrible happen here. And why was the back door of the store open for anyone to walk in? I would have guessed that a store like this would have been an unlikely target. I have never seen anyone pay in cash in one of these type stores. Did they steal any goods? That would seem more likely.

Posted by DrFeelgood (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So much for the "expanded patrols".
A real black eye for the CPD.

Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was told the person that is responsible for this has been caught. He was apprehended around 8 pm last nite and also that he was from the Montgomery area?! Not positive about his home town but he has been caught, not sure if they still have him in custody.

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Completely (almost) unrelated but if you are unhappy with your cell service, do what I did. Get the BOOST Unlimited plan. $50 a month for truly unlimited calls (NO certain hours garbage), web, walkie talkie, and text. Been on it since it launched in January and I LOVE it! I save a fortune.

Posted by gracefulone (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dear msreece..as for you replacing your phone it is as simple as dialing a phone number and giving the person on the other end your information and it comes to your home address. You never so much have to leave the comfort of your own home. Nothing to it. As the store in Clanton is an INDIRECT agent of Verizon there are only certain things they can do out the store. They do not have technicians, can not repair phones nor can they do an insurance claim for you. And as for you travlr423, its the same as having car insurance, there is a deductible there too. If you do not like the way it works you can always change phones or drop the insurance and pay full retail price for your phone when it breaks. The ppl who work at the store in clanton have always been very helpful to me. It may not be the same as what can happen in a Corporate Verizon Store. However, I would much rather deal with the down to earth people who have way much better customer service than one of those big stores where you have to wait for two hours to even ask someone a question. Just my two cents worth! And no the people in question have not been arrested.

Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh dear, well I assure you I was not treated well. I went through several calls to customer service and told different things at different times and was sent BACK to the Clanton store by Verizon customer service only to be treated rudely again. I'm 50 years old, I do know to call customer service, thank you.

I wasn't looking for repair, or to handle insurance, I wanted to give someone money to buy a phone for my former Alltel account which was bought by Verizon.

My experience doesn't seem to be unique.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 25, 2009 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hear ya, Katherine. I've been down that road too.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 12:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gracefulone,
From your comment it appears to me that the store is not really equipped to help me in any way. and if all my issues can be resolved over the phone it also appears that there is not really even a need for the store to exist. and all this being said pretty much in your own words maybe you should try to find another job with more job security in every sense of the meaning.
If you are employed there and from your statement it sounds very likely to be the case.
And for the record i am signed on with nextel and have been for 10 or 12 yrs. And no I'm not a happy customer but in my business being without a nextel is like having a boat without water.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dottie2008, Clanton already has a name for its self sweetie its called Clanton.
just joking, just a little sarcastic humor.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DrFeelgood,
I think it is really not fair to hold the CPD responsible for the guys robbing these businesses and not getting caught in the act. Its not like they are inside the store and know what is going on at the time nor do they have the ability to know when or where the next event will happen. Now if someone had witnessed the event as it was unfolding and placed a call to 911 I would almost bet anything i own it would have had a different ending.
The only persons that should be criticized are the robbers.
As for as the employees, yes they made a bad decision in having the rear entry open and allowing them selves to be robbed so easily with an increased risk of death or bodily injury possibly taking place but I'm sure they will be more alert of their surroundings and operating procedures from this point on. We all make bad decisions from time to time but the good thing is through our experiences in life especially the bad ones we also gain wisdom.
And someone made the comment earlier about the likelihood of certain businesses being the target of a criminal, but the bottom line is it does not really matter if your a business of any degree or just an individual if your breathing you are subject 24/7 to be the target of a criminal act or the victim of a violent crime.
No business or individual is immune to these misfortunes.

While there is little you can do to prevent it from happening, you can take precautions that will make it more difficult or less attractive to the would be perpetrator.
and even then he will just move on to someone else that is less prepared.
In time preparation will always meet opportunity. and that's what makes most of these crimes successful rather than interrupted.

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What I see here is that everyone is assuming that the same individuals are robbing all these businesses. That hasn't been proven to date. I am sure it would make everyone feel better to know that it was one or two crazies, but what if it isn't? I'm sure it makes more sense to everyone to say that it is the sorriness in people that makes them do things like steal. But what if it is a desperate action that is keeping roofs over the family's heads or food in thier stomach?

As I said I work with the poorest of the poor. I see about 40-50 people weekly that don't have jobs, some of them are people with college degrees. I try to help where I can and make as many referrals as I possibly can. But the truth is that there isn't as much work out there as some of you might think.

This may not be politically correct to say but the poorest people in our country are the african-american males and women with children. Many of them aren't coming to me to work the system and get handouts because they are too lazy to work. They do it because they have no other alternative.

If you were a business owner would you want to hire a black person between the ages of 15-40. Do you think they would rob you blind or give your business a bad reputation? So instead of giving these people jobs, you would rather them fullfill your expectations and rob you.

Maybe some of you are right. Perhaps it isn't the economy. Perhaps it is our own predjudice that keep these people so desperate.

Either way it goes. It is the workers and the supervisors that need to be continuously alert to threats and take action. Pay attention to customers as they walk in, not just when they get to the counter. By the time they realize they are being robbed thier brain goes into shock and they can't think straight. The fact that the criminals aren't hurting people seems to indicate that it is more of a desperate action than a premeditated crime.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

juswannabeheard,
In response to the first part of your question, I myself doubt that it is the same perpetrator engaged in all of these robberies. because I understood the article to say that the phone center was held at knife point while the days inn was held at gunpoint. and if i were a robber and possessed a gun I'm not going to waste my time with a knife.
And as far as your comment about black males and women being out of work they are not the only ones there are plenty of white people out of work also.
Myself i have worked very little in the last year. but am i out here robbing and stealing from others no, but when i do get a chance to make a few bucks i try to make it count. And for you to imply that no one wants to hire a black male between the ages of 15 and 40 that is about the most racist statement coming from anyone i have heard in along time. To start with a 15 yr. old male should be in school getting an education not out trying to work. and if i need help i dont care what color they are as long as they can work. I know many black males that are in that age group that are working today while white men in the same age group are not. Its more to do with the state of the economy and the fact that there are no jobs for many of these individuals to take advantage of especially if their skills or trade is in the construction field. I am almost 44 yrs. old and consider myself to have a pretty broad knowledge in several different fields especially in the construction field and I'm sitting at home with nothing to do. Now who can i blame it on. Maybe some business owned by an African American or Indian that is prejudice against white people and wont give me a job. Or i can just accept the fact that in the current state of the economy there just isn't anything available for me to do. And i will have to do like many others and be more creative in ways to try to make money and pick up what i can when i can. And neither of which include robbing or stealing.

Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Prejudice exists amongst and against every ethnicity. Prejudice by definition is a preconceived opinion before getting to know someone whether it be because of that persons race or sex or religion or any other reason. No matter who you are you will probably have to deal with it at some point in your life. Consider it just another obstacle in which you will have to overcome in life not an excuse to be an unproductive citizen or a burden on society. Very few people's lives are easy no matter who they are. You are what you make of it. Whether you contribute to people's stereotypical ideals or rise above them is solely each individuals decision.

Posted by hns5136 (anonymous) on August 26, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree and disagree with some comments made but one thing I have not seen mentioned in all of the comments is the abundance of meth users in Clanton ( yes I know they are everywhere else too) that will rob steal etc to get their next fix.... just saying....

Posted by hns5136 (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 3:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I know exactly what you mean kws. I have family members who are in Clanton and use the drug. It is beyond me why people would do this to their bodies, their families, their kids, their lives... the list goes on and on. You are right it mostly caucasions who use meth, sad really isn't it?

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My comments may sound racist/predjudice/whatever, but they are accurate and I stand behind them. I'm white, I grew up in the country where we had NO white neighbors. I went to church with our neighbors when I was a kid and I spent as much time at thier homes as I did my own. Slam me all you like, but push comes to shove I have made a point that most don't want to admit is true, even when it is.

When the police department find the people behind these robberies I venture to say that I will recognize names. This is a small community and if they are locals, everyone will recognize their names.

by the way I want to commend Chief Stillwell and his officers. When I reported to work this morning I noticed that there was a patrol car patrolling the area around my work place. This is a first. Thanks guys for all your hard work.

Posted by Likeitreallymatters (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck getting a signal in Jemison with your stolen phones.

Posted by travlr423 (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

juswannabeheard, Your statement appears to suggest that these guys are committing robberies because they are victims of racism and therefore if they should happen to injure or kill someone while committing one these crimes it is not really them to blame but someone else who obviously provoked them to commit the crime. Now how stupid is that. I dont know, why dont you go ask an African american police officer who chose to make something of his life or an African american business owner who chose to make something of their life or just a black man that happens to be in the same position a lot of people are in at the present time and ask them why they choose not to rob and steal for a living. Life is all about choices and the choices we make are a direct product of who we really are and racism has nothing to do with that its completely self stirred.

Posted by gonefishin (anonymous) on August 27, 2009 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The extra patrols would work better if the officers I have seen, that are supposedly assigned to these duties, had the knowledge or the drive to actually stop stop cars or even get out of theirs. You can bet that the empty lot across from McDonald's is void of robbers. There are some very good, proactive officers at Clanton, but they shouldn't have to carry the weight for everyone else. Seeing a cop does not stop criminal activity, but seeing good officers out working does. IMHO

Posted by juswannabeheard (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

travlr- think what you like. I just hope that you never feel the desperation that poor people feel. Have a nice day

Posted by jsfpilot2b (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Eventually they're going to rob someone with a firearm. Maybe that'll send a message....In these times of budget cuts I wouldn't be too dependant on law enforcement
protecting my life and my property.

Posted by gonefishin (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree jsfpilot2b. Just look at Jefferson County recently. The Sheriff's Department there has had their budget cut by 40%! sheriff Hale has already said they will now only be operating one jail. Who knows what other cuts they are making?