(NC) Jeweler sends robber packing 06-06-03

newsobserver.com – Robbery attempt has a fare ending
Address:http://newsobserver.com/news/story/…p-2409602c.html
Friday, June 6, 2003 12:00AM EDT
Robbery attempt has a fare ending
By AISLING SWIFT, Staff Writer

DURHAM — Two teens learned the hard way Thursday that a taxi isn’t a
good choice for a getaway car and showing a fake gun might start a real
gunfight.

A teen wearing a suit walked into David Michael Jewelers in Homestead
Market Shopping Center on N.C. 54 shortly before 1 p.m. and said he was
buying jewelry for a Los Angeles jewelry show this week, said David Cope
Jr., who waited on the teen.

Trouble is, jewelers know the big show this week is in Las Vegas. And
there was another problem.

“He was shaking. He was just a kid,” Cope said. “That’s how I knew
something was wrong.”

The teen, who went outside to a waiting taxi three times to consult his
“uncle,” chose $40,000 worth of diamond solitaires, rings, bracelets and
earrings, Cope said.

“He said he would pay by credit card, but he never showed one,” Cope
said. Instead, he said, the teen showed him the butt end of what
appeared to be a handgun, but he didn’t point it.

“I pulled my gun out and said, ‘Get out. Get out,’ ” said Cope, who had
a .22-caliber revolver.
The young man cursed “and ran to the taxi.”
Cope called 911 and police, who didn’t have enough cars nearby, asked
sheriff’s deputies for assistance. Deputy John Helsius spotted the taxi
and stopped it near Highgate and Audubon Lake drives.

Police charged Joshua Hunter, 16, of 1304 Seaton Road and Adam Mack, 18,
of 120 Carlion Court with attempted armed robbery.

They were being held in Durham County jail Thursday night with their
bails set at $30,000 each and are to appear today in District Court.
Durham Police Sgt. Mike Baker and his dog, Doenja, recovered an air
pistol that police think was used in the robbery.