Police: LR store owner shoots robber during holdup
This article was originally published March 15, 2013 at 8:11 a.m. Updated March 15, 2013 at 10:41 a.m.
PHOTO BY GAVIN LESNICK
Boards cover windows shattered by gunfire at the Santa Maria Mexican Store on Base Line Road Friday.
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Alvin Aikens booking photo provided by the Pulaski County jail
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A Little Rock store owner shot a robber Thursday night after the assailant opened fire during a holdup.
Authorities later arrested and charged the suspect, who is identified in a police report as 21-year-old Alvin Aikens.
Aikens, who was shot in the left foot, was booked into the Pulaski County jail early Friday morning after being treated and released from UAMS Medical Center. He faces charges of aggravated robbery, theft of property and fleeing.
According to the report, the robber entered the Santa Maria Mexican grocery store at 4731 W. Base Line Road shortly before 8:30 p.m. and pressed a handgun to the back of owner Miguel Martinez.
The robber grabbed cash from the register and started to leave, but he turned back and fired shots toward Martinez when he saw the owner reaching for something, the report said.
Martinez, who was back in the store Friday morning, said he was reaching for a gun which he then used to shoot at the robber as the man fled the business. Martinez wasn't hurt and neither were his 20-year-old son and his 17-year-old daughter, who were both working in the business when the robbery and shootout happened.
Martinez said his daughter in particular was left shaken by the robbery. Speaking on the floor of the small store beside a cooler with a bullet hole in it, he said all he cared about was protecting his loved ones.
"You think of your family only," Martinez said. "You don't think about nothing [else] ... You don't care about money."
Aikens was gone when police arrived, but he was later taken into custody at Auxora Arms Apartments after a chase, the report said. He is being held without bail pending an initial court appearance.
AIkens was previously arrested in late 2011 on multiple aggravated robbery warrants. Police said then they suspected he was involved in a string of robberies including two at Cupid’s, a lingerie store at 3920 W. 65th St., and one at Neighborhood Grocery at 4423 W. 12th St.
Martinez said his store has been robbed "three or four" times since he opened it in a shopping center on Base Line about nine years ago.
"Maybe they will come in again. I don't know," he said. "I don't want to stay home. I have to work. I have kids and I have to work for my family."
Comments on: Police: LR store owner shoots robber during holdup
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gjo1957 says... March 15, 2013 at 9:29 a.m.
Good for the store owner. However, he needs a little more time at the shooting range so that next time he can find the "ten ring".
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LRfriend says... March 15, 2013 at 9:32 a.m.
good for him....if the store owners keep taking charge, maybe these thugs will think twice about armed robbery--Especially if the aim is improved and we start canceling robbers one by one.
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NOTAGAIN says... March 15, 2013 at 10:02 a.m.
Time to hit the range OR as this sounds like an owner operater, just hang a dbl barrel shotgun under the counter and shoot thru the counter. No need to draw and aim.
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Packman says... March 15, 2013 at 11:38 a.m.
Gotta always go two to the chest one to the head. That's the only way to fight this particluar manifestation of an entitlement addiction. Hoorah for the store owner and thank God for the 2nd Amendment.
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TheBatt says... March 15, 2013 at 11:43 a.m.
gjo1957 - or at least "Center mass"....
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AmericasDoomed says... March 15, 2013 at 11:46 a.m.
Too bad it didn't end with the coroner being called. Now the scumbag will just file for disability. Hurray for the business owner, glad you all weren't hurt.
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WTR44 says... March 15, 2013 at 11:59 a.m.
Only problem with this story.....the store owner should have killed that thug graveyard dead!!
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TDA says... March 15, 2013 at 12:03 p.m.
Hooray for Mr. Martinez!!!
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Firefighter says... March 15, 2013 at 12:30 p.m.
Sen Pryor is going to vote Democratic on the gun bill which will limit your rights and lead to government control and possible confiscation of your guns. Then people won't be able to defend themselves. Vote Pryor out.
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Felina says... March 15, 2013 at 1:41 p.m.
It makes me sick how these thugs target Hispanics, thinking that they won't make a fuss for fear of deportation! Well guess what? Not all Hispanics fear deportation, because they are here legally! Regarding those who are undocumented, I think we should offer immediate citizenship for any illegal immigrant who shoots a thug in self defense!
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Packman says... March 15, 2013 at 1:55 p.m.
Hey Felina - You may be on to something your idea on at least one path to citizenship for illegals. Not a bad idea......... Your other comment is significant as well. This is entirely anecdotal but I've heard it from numerous Hispanic folks who have worked for me in the past few years: Hispanics are targeted because they tend to carry large amounts of cash, will likely have cash because they work, and fear reporting the crime for fear of deportation. I've been told for every crime of this nature that is reported, 10 occur that are not. Again, the only way to stop these violent criminals is with a gun and/or voting Republican to help put an end to the societally destructive entitlement mentality.
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Pobucker says... March 15, 2013 at 3:49 p.m.
no controversy here, move along.
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BillSmith says... March 15, 2013 at 7:01 p.m.
Packman.....the store ower did not need an Ar-15 to protect his property after all.
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BillSmith says... March 15, 2013 at 7:02 p.m.
Packman..... I give you an "AAA" rating as being an armchair general.
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Populist says... March 16, 2013 at 9:31 a.m.
My concern about this story is the fact that Alvin Aikens was not in jail from any of his previous arrests. He allegedly went on a armed robbery rampage in November and December of 2011, hitting Cupids Lingerie twice and Delicious Fashions once. What was the outcome of these arrests? Why was this guy on the street? How many times does somebody have to commit an armed robbery in Little Rock before they are put away? Are there any reporters at the ADG left? Nobody seems to be asking the Prosecutor's office, the LRPD, or the mayor's office anything. The public is just quietly ignoring the horrible crime problem. It's a shame that I am not down there to personally stir up trouble and ask questions. There is just so much I can do from my computer.
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ColinFlaherti says... March 16, 2013 at 10:49 a.m.
Populist has an excellent point. I googled this savage's name and found info about previous crimes but nothing about convictions or jail time. Why isn't this paper interested in this lack of justice?
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Packman says... March 16, 2013 at 3:58 p.m.
Hey BillSmith - Had the store owner believed he needed a military platform firearm we can thank God and the NRA he still has that right. Those store owners in LA after the riots seen with military platform guns on the rooftops of their buildings protecting their property from the looting throngs obviously liked having that choice. Just can't win for losing, can you, BillSmith?
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strikerkl says... March 16, 2013 at 8:10 p.m.
This idiot was arrested just two years ago for multiple armed robberies and he is back on the streets already? These judges and lawmakers need to start taking some accountability for letting the idiots back on the streets.
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NoCrossNoCrown says... March 16, 2013 at 8:36 p.m.
We can solve this real ez, just ask the frat boys in the ledge to raise a fee to keep these bad guys in jail....I know you wouldn't want them getting out on parole, so let's keep em' locked in the Iron Bar Hotel. I'm even thinking about starting me a jail so I can make lots of money charging the taxpayers to keep this guy and all those other "thugs" away from you nice decent folks in this here county......Yeah!! That's a what I'ma gonna do.....
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