Jun 2002 21:54:09 -0500
Store owner’s gun drives off robbers
By KATY SCOTT News-Sun Staff Writer

The Springfield drive-through owner who shot at two would-be robbers
Saturday night, possibly wounding one, said he’d repeat his actions.

“I don’t like getting shot at, and I don’t like shooting at people, but
I’d do it again,” said Clifford A. Conley, owner of Beverage Oasis, 1953
S. Yellow Springs St.

The would-be robbers were described as 6-foot-tall, masked black men
with shotguns who entered the business at 10:58 p.m.

There have been a string of similar robberies at area bars since April
16, and Springfield Police Chief David Walters said, “We have every
reason to believe this is connected.”

Witnesses and police reports gave this account:
One of the robbers entered the business wearing a green mask and blue
clothing and carrying a 12-gauge shotgun. As he approached the building,
three people at the business fled. A fourth person, who fell on her way
out, remained motionless on the floor near the door.

The second gunman, who was wearing a green mask and carrying a 20-gauge
shotgun, followed the three people as they fled. The three attempted to
flag down several cars for help before a Springfield motorist stopped.

“He seen them running. He seen the guy with the shotgun chasing them,”
said Oasis manager Debbie Little, who wasn’t working Saturday.

The motorist drove the three to a phone down the street where they
called for help.

“Nobody wants to get involved in anything like this,” Little said. “We
owe him a debt of gratitude.”

Conley was working in an office and by way of a security camera observed
the three people fleeing. With another camera, he saw the first robber
banging on a cash register with his gun.

Conley dialed 911 and, before speaking to anyone, left the phone off the
hook to pick up a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol. He came out of the
office as the first robber ran through the drive-through.

Conley told the man to stop and fired a warning shot. The gunman turned
toward Conley and began to raise his gun, so Conley fired two shots at
him. The man fell to the ground, dropped his weapon, got up and limped
away. Police later recovered the dropped gun.

Conley looked outside and saw both men. The second robber shot twice at
Conley as he helped his partner into a maroon Ford Tempo.
The shots hit the garage door jamb. Conley fired five to six more times,
then closed and locked all the doors of his business.

Police officers were on the scene shortly thereafter. Conley commended
their response time, saying it took just minutes for officers to arrive.

Walters said that whenever firearms are involved, it becomes a
potentially dangerous situation.

“I can’t prevent people from trying to protect their businesses and
their employees,” he said.
“These robbers have been very active in the past few weeks in the
Springfield area, and people are a little on edge.”

Conley was reluctant to talk about the incident Monday. Little said
Conley wishes the attempted robbery could have ended peacefully.

“This is not something he’s proud of,” she said. “They drew on him, and
he fired back … He had no resort but to fire back.”

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