Restaurant Owner Shoots Robbery Suspect(OH)

A Bond Hill restaurant owner fights back when a robber tries to steal from him. Police say the man held a gun to the head of the owner at Hook Fish and Chicken on Reading Road in Bond Hill. Local 12's Tiffany Wilson talks to the victim about the terrifying encounter.

The restaurant stays open until five a.m. on the weekends. Just an hour before closing Saturday morning, a man walked in and ordered a philly cheesesteak and chicken strips. But the owner quickly realized he wanted much more than fast food. "He put the gun in my head."

In that moment, Ali Haaj thought his life was over. "I'm thinking that's the last day of my life you know. Because he can shoot you, he can shoot all of us."

Haaj quickly opened the cash drawer and allowed the suspect to empty his safe. Then, while the suspect loaded dimes, nickles and dollar bills into plastic carry out bags... Haaj grabbed his gun and snuck out the back door. He crouched behind a delivery van waiting for the suspect to walk out. "When he come outside, I'm trying to stop him, I told him to freeze, don't move."

But the suspect didn't stop - instead he started shooting, hitting the van. Haaj didn't back off. "Five feet between me and him, I shoot him in the legs."

Haaj says the suspect tried to take off with $4000 in cash and two carry out meals. He didn't make it far. Employees of the Hook Fish and Chicken held him until police arrived. Haaj says he could have killed the suspect - but instead he wanted to give him the opportunity to repent. "I hope he will be a nice guy who doesn't do bad stuff no more."

Haaj has run the Hook Fish and Chicken restaurant for six years. This was the first time he's been robbed.

The suspect was taken to University Hospital for treatment. No word yet on his name or charges.

Haaj did get his money back. He tells us his delivery van will need major repairs because one of the bullets went through the radiator.

Better reporting, with more details, than we usually get.

1 posted on 08/25/2011 4:31:50 AM PDT by marktwain

Haaj has run the Hook Fish and Chicken restaurant for six years. This was the first time he’s been robbed.

Most amazing statement in this article!

2 posted on 08/25/2011 4:39:57 AM PDT by Recon Dad ("Don't forget, incoming fire has the right of way..")

Should’ve killed him, now the bastard will probably come back and sue him.

3 posted on 08/25/2011 4:40:24 AM PDT by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.....Eagle Scout since Sep 9, 1970)

Haaj says he could have killed the suspect - but instead he wanted to give him the opportunity to repent. "I hope he will be a nice guy who doesn't do bad stuff no more."

I hope he doesn't end up regretting this decision.

4 posted on 08/25/2011 5:15:10 AM PDT by Egon (The difference between Theory and Practice: In Theory, there is no difference.)

“He put the gun in my head.”
Shoot the guy heck! They should go to Vegas and start an act!

5 posted on 08/25/2011 5:25:49 AM PDT by BigCinBigD

"Should’ve killed him, now the bastard will probably come back and sue him."

Or have his buddies come back and kill him. When you fire, you should shoot to kill. Now the owner can wonder when he will be next.

You don’t shoot to “wound” an armed man who’s already fired at you!!!
He’s lucky its only his radiator that’s in need of repair!!

7 posted on 08/25/2011 5:43:30 AM PDT by G Larry (I dream of a day when a man is judged by the content of his character)

The suspect was taken to University Hospital for treatment.

I wonder who paid that bill.

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