INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. — A conceal and carry permit holder in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota is unharmed after an armed robber attempted to steal cellphones from a Verizon store in the area.
According to Inver Grove Heights Police, on Thursday around 11 a.m., officers were called to the scene of an armed robbery in progress at the Cellular Connections store, a licensed Verizon store on Cahill Avenue. On their way to the scene, dispatch alerted officers that shots had been fired.
When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that two men, one of whom was armed, entered the Verizon store with the intention to steal cellphones. The store clerk, who has a conceal and carry permit, was approached by the two men, showing the clerk they were armed. The clerk drew his weapon and shot the armed man multiple times, while the other ran out of the store.
Officers provided first aid to the injured man until paramedics arrived and took him to Regions Hospital where he remained in custody as of Thursday.
The store is operated by a company called Cellular Connections. Verizon has not made an official statement on the incident, but the 2017 Verizon code of conduct clearly prohibits the carrying of weapons by employees. Part of the document states, “Unless local law expressly permits possession of a weapon in a locked personal vehicle on company property, you may not possess or use any weapon or any component of a weapon (e.g. ammunition) on company property.”
Officers have not announced whether they have the second suspect in custody.
Inver Grove Heights Police are asking for anyone with information to please call 651-450-2525.
Preya Samsundar
Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.
