Security Officer Shoots - Captures Robber

INDEPENDENCE LA Nov 5 2010 An armed man entered the Independence Piggly Wiggly at approximately 7:24 p.m.Wednesday, Nov 3, 2010 and walked to the customer service desk where he approached the cashier and an off-duty employee and demanded that the cashier 'put all the money in the bag' as he held a pillowcase in one hand while brandishing a large kitchen knife in the other.
The store's armed security guard observed what was happening and directed the suspect to drop the knife. The suspect left the customer service desk and made his way to another cashier where he demanded money while continuing to brandish the knife.
The suspect then walked to the back of the store and approached a store employee from behind and held the employee in a modified chokehold with the knife at his throat and again demanded money.
As the suspect forced the employee toward the registers, the employee broke free and the suspect made his way into the semi-enclosed deli area where he displaying the knife and demanded money from two deli employees.
As the suspect chased the employees around a worktable, the security guard fired his weapon over the deli case.
The suspect continued pursuing one of the employees and the guard fired a second shot. At least one of the two shots struck the suspect in the upper left arm.
The suspect exited the deli and made his way to the rear of the store where he approached a customer from behind using the same chokehold technique and telling the customer he had a gun.
The suspect forced the employee through the store and, as the two were exiting the front door, the customer loosed himself from the suspect's grasp and tackled the suspect.
As the customer, security guard and store employees were subduing the suspect, officers from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office and Independence Police Department arrived in response to calls made to 911 by store employees.
The suspect was in police custody at 7:28 p.m., transported by Acadian Ambulance to Lalie Kemp Hospital, subsequently transported to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail and booked on outstanding warrants from TPSO.
The suspect is also wanted by Amite Police in connection with an armed robbery that occurred last week.
Independence charges are pending.