KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
Police say a suspected crook thought McLain's Bakery at East Gregory Boulevard and Grand Avenue was a sweet target when he allegedly tried to rob them for the second time. But he didn't expect the owner, a loyal customer and police would all work together to put an end to his suspected crime spree.
"He said, ‘Give me the money,' and I said, ‘You get it. You were here before; you helped yourself last time. I'm not getting it for you,'" said Don Peattie.
Peattie owns McLain's Bakery in Waldo. He had just finished brewing some fresh coffee when, just before 7:30 a.m., a man suddenly walked in who allegedly wasn't there for the goodies on display. The person was reportedly after the dough in the register for the second time in just two weeks.
"I said, ‘You've got to be one of the more stupid people I've ever run into. You're wearing the same outfit, the same hat, the same clothes, the same everything.' I said, ‘You came in here before. You think people aren't going to notice that? Get the money and get the beep out of here now,'" said Peattie.
The bakery owner said he was worried about the safety of his female employee. He told her to escape out the back door, but the thief pointed a gun at her.
"I said, ‘Leave her alone, get back up front,' and that's when he started to grab her by the arm and I got close to him and said, ‘Leave her alone,'" said Peattie.
Peattie convinced the suspected crook to leave the female employee alone, and it was at that time that Robert Massey, a construction worker nearby, walked in.
"Don was being held up. I couldn't figure it out at first because a guy was standing next to him, but a guy with a ski mask behind the counter didn't look like he fit there," said Massey.
Massey dialed 911 on his cell, but police were already aware of the dangerous situation. Undercover officers were doing surveillance on the bakery and other businesses that had been robbed recently.
"We knew, especially as he put his mask on and went in, an armed robbery was happening and rather than approach him inside with individuals he could hold hostage, we chose to let him go outside," said Sergeant Brad Lemon with the KCMO Police Department. "It was a good team effort."
Police surrounded the suspect and took him into custody. They believe he's responsible for at least five robberies in midtown, including one crime captured on surveillance at a dry cleaning shop.
"He's (the robber's) having a hard time - OK - we are having hard time the last several years, but that does not give you permission to walk in and say, ‘Give me your money,'" said Peattie.
The bakery owner said he always takes care of the officers in the Waldo area, and he's grateful Tuesday they took care of him.
"He didn't have a chance. They were coming from every direction," said Peattie.
The suspected robber has been identified as 47-year-old Dwayne Scott. The Jackson County Prosecutor charged him Wednesday with four robberies. He now faces charges of robbery in the first degree for two robberies at McLain's Bakery and two at Plaza Ford Ideal Laundry.
The prosecutor's office said in a release that Scott, who is homeless, is in custody.
In the meantime, Peattie said he will be updating his security and adding surveillance cameras.
Police say a suspected crook thought McLain's Bakery at East Gregory Boulevard and Grand Avenue was a sweet target when he allegedly tried to rob them for the second time. But he didn't expect the owner, a loyal customer and police would all work together to put an end to his suspected crime spree.
"He said, ‘Give me the money,' and I said, ‘You get it. You were here before; you helped yourself last time. I'm not getting it for you,'" said Don Peattie.
Peattie owns McLain's Bakery in Waldo. He had just finished brewing some fresh coffee when, just before 7:30 a.m., a man suddenly walked in who allegedly wasn't there for the goodies on display. The person was reportedly after the dough in the register for the second time in just two weeks.
"I said, ‘You've got to be one of the more stupid people I've ever run into. You're wearing the same outfit, the same hat, the same clothes, the same everything.' I said, ‘You came in here before. You think people aren't going to notice that? Get the money and get the beep out of here now,'" said Peattie.
The bakery owner said he was worried about the safety of his female employee. He told her to escape out the back door, but the thief pointed a gun at her.
"I said, ‘Leave her alone, get back up front,' and that's when he started to grab her by the arm and I got close to him and said, ‘Leave her alone,'" said Peattie.
Peattie convinced the suspected crook to leave the female employee alone, and it was at that time that Robert Massey, a construction worker nearby, walked in.
"Don was being held up. I couldn't figure it out at first because a guy was standing next to him, but a guy with a ski mask behind the counter didn't look like he fit there," said Massey.
Massey dialed 911 on his cell, but police were already aware of the dangerous situation. Undercover officers were doing surveillance on the bakery and other businesses that had been robbed recently.
"We knew, especially as he put his mask on and went in, an armed robbery was happening and rather than approach him inside with individuals he could hold hostage, we chose to let him go outside," said Sergeant Brad Lemon with the KCMO Police Department. "It was a good team effort."
Police surrounded the suspect and took him into custody. They believe he's responsible for at least five robberies in midtown, including one crime captured on surveillance at a dry cleaning shop.
"He's (the robber's) having a hard time - OK - we are having hard time the last several years, but that does not give you permission to walk in and say, ‘Give me your money,'" said Peattie.
The bakery owner said he always takes care of the officers in the Waldo area, and he's grateful Tuesday they took care of him.
"He didn't have a chance. They were coming from every direction," said Peattie.
The suspected robber has been identified as 47-year-old Dwayne Scott. The Jackson County Prosecutor charged him Wednesday with four robberies. He now faces charges of robbery in the first degree for two robberies at McLain's Bakery and two at Plaza Ford Ideal Laundry.
The prosecutor's office said in a release that Scott, who is homeless, is in custody.
In the meantime, Peattie said he will be updating his security and adding surveillance cameras.