Pet shop criminals
Thursday, Jan 29, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* First it was PetSmart in broad daylight…
Two men accused of an armed robbery in the Springfield PetSmart parking lot have been arrested.
Police say Tyler Sigretto, 21, and Dakota Davis, 20, both of Springfield, were arrested over the weekend following the Friday morning incident. Sigretto and Davis allegedly approached two people in the parking lot with guns and demanded personal belongings.
* And then Nature’s Select, also in broad daylight…
Springfield police are looking for a man who robbed the Nature’s Select Pet Store Wednesday afternoon.
Police described the robber as a dark-skinned black man with a thin build who is 20 to 30 years old and between 6 feet and 6-foot-2. He was wearing a light gray sweatshirt and sweat pants.
The man entered the store at 540 W. Monroe St. around 3:35 p.m. armed with a box cutter. He demanded money from an employee but fled on foot when a customer entered the business.
I regularly bring Oscar to both of those stores.
I know I shouldn’t be, but this has me a bit rattled.
- Stones - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
If someone is seeking cash or valuables it seems odd to rob a couple of pet stores?
- Secretariat - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
Dont worry. I’m sure Oscar would step up and protect you. He has a well hidden attack dog side.
- Stones - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
Sorry should have said “target” the pet stores since it appears only one was robbed and the other incident occurred in the parking lot.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
Oscar is not a pet.
Oscar is family. You love Oscar, Oscar loves you. It’s deeper than PetSmart.
That’s why you are rattled, and it’s understandable and admirable you feel that.
- mokenavince - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:30 pm:
Lighting generally doesn’t strike in the same sot twice. Chance are you and Oscar are safe. Both got caught and both should got to jail for armed robbery.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:36 pm:
There’s got to be a way to make this a QOTD…
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
Nevermind.
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
I honestly don’t blame you, Rich, even though coincidence may be at play here. I’ve been troubled since the Buffalo Wild Wings not far from my house and where my kids spend many a weekend night was robbed at closing time a couple weeks ago by dudes packing heat.
Will be interesting to see if these events come up in the Mayor’s race.
- D.P.Gumby - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
wrong targets…they should know if you are a pet owner you have already spent your disposable income!
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
===you have already spent your disposable income! ===
I calculated the other day how much I am spending per year on bully sticks alone.
I don’t wanna say what it is, but, wow. I should probably find a cheaper supplier.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
===Will be interesting to see if these events come up in the Mayor’s race. ===
Nobody appears to want to talk because tourism.
- Gannt Chart - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
Get your concealed carry permit yet, Rich?
- T.C. - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
Always unnerving. But don’t fret. We tend to freak out over anecdotal info when it comes to crime instead of actual data.
Thanks to the media, almost every one in Chicago thinks crime is out of control, when in actuality, the violent crime rate is at it’s lowest level in 50 years and there are half as many murders now as there were in the early 90’s.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
It is rattling, even though we know the odds are against anything actually happening while making a quick stop. Plus, Oscar would find a way to protect everyone!
- GE - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
Might want to consider getting a bulk order into Amazon before Sunday…
- RNUG - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
Not that it will keep you 100% safe, but situational awareness will help keep you out of a large percentage of those type situations.
- Mouthy - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:30 pm:
Random chance. I can’t remember ever hearing of robberies of any kind happening at a pet store which would make me think that the odds of this happening again vs any other establishment would be pretty slim. On another note I’ve notified the west side grocery store I go to when I’ve been approached by a hard luck panhandler out in the parking lot. I’d recommend that if you see something suspicious anywhere, report it to the store or to the authorities.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
of course you should be rattled! it’s quite unsettling, especially cause it’s you and the furry one who would be in danger. stay safe out there!
- Sunshine - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:37 pm:
Good point downstate. When in Yellowstone we carry bear mace. Of course the biggest menace there are the buffalo…really.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:43 pm:
Bear mace? Wouldn’t that just make them angry?
You have to be a special kind of idiot these days to rob a person on the street, or knock off a restaurant, with a gun.
Cameras everywhere, and what’s the risk/reward ratio? Plan on doing that four or five times a month to make a lousy living?
- Chris - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:52 pm:
“almost every one in Chicago thinks crime is out of control”
Nah, people in Chicago who dislike (hate) Rahm want to have something to pin on his back. So they join in the chorus of mooks from the SCC blog.
People *outside* Chicago seem to believe the media hype. Have explained to a number of non-local friends that the “exploding” homicide totals are half what they were 20 years ago.
That said, the last 6 months has brought more ‘incidents’ (no violence) to my block than in the prior 10 years. But that’s just anecdata.
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 4:53 pm:
Two weeks under Rauner and you can’t even take your dog to the store in Springfield.
You might have to move back to Chicago where it’s safer.
- One day at a time - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 5:04 pm:
bear spray dispenses a large orange cloud of double strength mace ingredients. Works great if you are running upwind from a bear,….not so good if you are confronting a dirt bag with a shotgun or a hand gun… Neither will wasp spray ….by the time you see the bad guys gun it’s generally too late to did those large cans of spray out of your shoulder holster…just sayin!
- Mouthy - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 5:16 pm:
Looked into Bear Mace in Canada last year. About $50 bucks a can and your had to fill out a bunch of paperwork before they’ll sell it to you. Thankfully, they were out…
- Anon - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 6:31 pm:
crime happens when people are poor and have little hope. Wait until the budget cuts start and whatever social safety net that’s left is torn to threads. Thank god that tax tax increase was only temporary. Now, instead of paying 12,500, I will only pay about $9400. Meanwhile, programs that people depend on to live will be decimated. Rich, it might be time to order everything you need online. If you leave the house, get in your car, and don’t stop until you’re at the Capitol. Things are gonna get ugly quick.
- BehindTheScenes - Thursday, Jan 29, 15 @ 8:14 pm:
Rich… Never did see your answer to whether or not you have your CCL. Best to protect yourself (and Oscar). The best police force in the world, and Springfield’s is damn good, won’t be able to protect everyone all the time. They investigate crimes after they occur. Take care of yourself and those close to you.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Jan 30, 15 @ 8:04 am:
With all this talk of bear mace, I wonder if you could just scare the criminals off by wearing some bells!
- One day at a time - Friday, Jan 30, 15 @ 9:32 am:
Pot…bells, whistles, load talking, large group….and a .44 Remington magnum loaded with 300 grain hard cast flat points and the ability to shoot it with confidence are all excellent back up plans in addition to bear “mace”.