Woman robs video rental place

Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The store had just opened for the day? Apparently it's true - there are no smart criminals.

Posted by albertlea1 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Movie Gallery robs us everyday with their prices and late fees!!!!

Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wait a minute, let's get realistic here. We have had robberies here in Albert Lea from more than the Blacks. We have had robberies at Albert Lea Abstract where computers were stolen, we have had a robbery at Subway, and Dominos, I do believe, one on the local hotels on Main Street, Kwik trip, and now the Movie Gallery, so I don't think that they are all from the Blacks. What about the white lady that is driving her sons around town robbing private vehicles, and homes on the South side of town, and continues to get away knowing the cops know who they are? Oops, let's not talk about that, because it's probably a relative that is just having a hard times. GET REAL, NO EXCUSE! Color should not matter, intelligence yes. What needs to be done in town is to try and educate people more, white, black, or whatever color of the rainbow you may be, so that these problems cease. I agree anyone who is a theif should have the book thrown at them, however, just because one makes a mistake does not mean that that particular race should be sterotyped. Only uneducated people stero-type. GO FIGURE!

Posted by mommy05 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK albertlea1 your little comment you made was just plain stupid! Its really sad what this town is becoming compared to just 5 years ago. There are alot of people who are trying to beautify our town when there are selfish others thinking its "cool" to grafetti everything! I really don't know whats wrong with these people. Just an afternoon drive through town anymore disgusts me!

Posted by ASJ (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of these comments are outrageous! The story is about theft and the thief is a black woman... so now there are comments about driving through town and feeling disgusted and I'm sorry but I like this town better right now more than I did 5 yrs ago. No wonder all the young people want to get out of this town! Diversity is a good thing..I have two young children and you better believe I raise them with no prejudice against any race.. And just because the woman was black it has to be home boy this or home girl that and maybe she should get a job and quit stealing for a living.. we don't know who she is, maybe she does have a job.. This town might look pretty on the outside until you hear some racist jerk calling someone trash and they don't even know them...says a lot about your character..I hope you don't have kids that your raising to be just like you!

Posted by dewdroppedin (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.

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Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This type of crime happens everyday...everywhere. Just because it's Albert Lea, MN - there is no bubble or shield protecting this little midwest town. White people are criminals just as much as black people. Same goes for hispanics, asians, etc.

Hopefully the police will actually do their job and catch the true criminals around here and quit using the "lack of funds" or the "it's not in our budget" speeches as excuses.

For those of you hoping to avoid diversity or crime - maybe you should have your head checked.

Posted by albertlea1 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mommy05 - You are RIGHT...my comment was stupid. That is the exact reason why is was written. The majority of the comments posted are pathetic!! I often wonder why people live in this town if it is so disgusting to them??? Now that is STUPID - to live in a town that disgusts you. HMMM!!!

I live in this town because I REALLY like this town. It is one of the few towns that I truly enjoy. Albert Lea is a wonderful place to live and to raise a family. Crime happens in every community and that is a fact. It's a free country and you are free to leave if you want to.

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A crime is a crime, some worse than others, but still a crime. Doesn't matter what color committed it, that person needs to be punished. You name me a town that doesn't have some sort of crime in it. Sad part is, some get away with more than others. When you listen to the news, we have less of a crime spree then most. Let's try and keep it that way.

Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Virginian - What do you mean when you say "I would say the culture of AL is changing and changing fast, get ready because it's coming at you and you don't even know it." See here is the problem with the world today. LACK OF EDUCATION. Let's do the Math together. It takes 100% to make a whole correct? If we have 6 crimes, (a crime is a crime, anyway you want to look at it, in my book it's CRIME!!) Well, if we take 100% and divide it among 6 CRIMES, then we have 16.6% each, w/ 2 individuals that are so called a minority, gives us a total of 33.2%. We will then have the remaining of the population which is 66.8%. Education question? Who's the minority? The library is open Mon-Thurs 10:00 - 8:00 | Fri 10:00 - 6:00 | Sat 10:00 - 5:00 | Sun 1:00 - 5:00
211 E. Clark Street, Albert Lea, MN 56007 | Phone: 507-377-4350

By the way that it appears crime was here in AL, long before quote on quote anyone moved in. Poverty, undereducated, negative-ness was here as well. Let's work together as a community to make it safe for our familes. And for those in the community that continue to pass on negative-ness, can you please do me a favor, and "CRAWL UNDER THE ROCK, YOU CAME OUT FROM UNDER!"

Posted by tbanderson (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I worked at Movie Gallery back when it was "Video Update" in 2003-the store was robbed by one of my coworkers and she actually did it during our shift and it was just the 2 of us! That story never made the paper-guess she was the wrong color to make the news! Prejudice people suck I tell ya-get over it you guys-whether the chick was black or white it doesn't matter-fact of the matter is is she did the crime in the first place! Skin color has nothing to do with it-wake up people!

Posted by somethng2say (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My husband and I were driving past there during our lunch break and seen all the police. My husband unwittingly said, "What happened there looks like the place was robbed. Well he was right and thats the sad thing.

Posted by abcd5 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It doesn't matter what the race of the robber was, what should matter is that a young lady went to work this morning and had a gun pointed at her and was robbed. Thankfully she is safe.

Posted by pinkbutterflies (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it doesnt matter what your race is anyone who commits a crime needs punished. They dont know for sure the suspect is black or not her bandanna was covering her face. What does it matter what color she is? I have lived in albert lea for 14 yrs and i think ALL towns have crimes some you just hear more about. This is jmo.

Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do not any of you work that you all have so much time to discuss this, leave it alone already!!!

Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.

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Posted by moviegal (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

albertlea1, just because you are unhappy with a business' policy does not justify a crime like this being committed. A young woman is traumatized after being held up at gunpoint. Here is a little inside info about the movie rental industry..... if you return your movies the day they are due before closing, you won't get a late fee!!

Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.

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Posted by Snapshot (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a shame this happened. My sympathies to the poor girl that was working, and to Movie Gallery. I hope they catch the thief.

I suspect this type of behavior will only become more common because of the economy. There will always be small time thefts; however, when you can't feed your children, or you are being evicted, especially with winter coming soon, some people are backed up against a wall. I do not condone or approve ... just stating my own thoughts on human behavior and the financial crunch we are all in.

Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.

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Posted by diddlyscrumps (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calm down you guys....this isn't 1952. The robber HAPPENED to be black. That's all this means....and for those of you going on and on about percentages and things, start doing percentages on what ethnicity is the poorest, and which one makes the most money. People don't rob or commit crimes based on the color of their skin, they do it based on desperation, and survival.

Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess I'm your target today - keep firing away. What else ya got?!? Hide behind a message board - you are probably equally as pathetic as your comments. Little man syndrome?

How did this daughter stuff come up?! Your so ridiculous, I can't exactly remember where your nonsense starts?!

Posted by nastassia12 (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would just like to say that purduekelli has a point. Virginian, you are spending your time arguing and putting down other people's opinions. I agree that you may disagree with what people have to say but there is no reason to make an all day argument and insult people's intelligence.

Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 4:05 p.m.

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Posted by moviegal (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said sorrycharlie!

Posted by mnbluejay (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All I can say is that I hope people from other parts of the state and country aren't reading this. I am embarrassed by what is going on here and ashamed to say I live near and work in this town if this is the way people here behave. Shame on some of you!

Posted by ASJ (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

desertdog..you are super funny..what you write is actually quite amusing..HA HA Maybe I do live under a rock, after all I was born and raised in Albert Lea! I didn't say anything about her character..everyone is making a bigger deal because she is black.. for you to sit and call somebody trash and you don't know anything personal about them..well, i guess thats on you. And as for daycare, my kids are fine..I just have to laugh because I invision some guy typing at his computer with steam coming out of his ears getting so into this forum.. We really must thank the Albert Lea Tribune for all the great updates on their website!! And of course I hope the girl working that day is doing ok.

Posted by ALgone (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mnbluejay- you are so right. I live north of the cities and I come on here at least once a day just to read the comments. Albert Lea people are hilarious!

Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why are you beating each other down. First off, I doubt the people mentioning this woman's race aren't raging racists. Some people are into numbers and statistics. Numbers don't lie. If they're calculated correctly and honestly that is. This woman still roams the streets, that's what you should be concerned with. Criminals seem to get away more times than they're cautght, so when you're fortunate enough to catch one, in my opinion, they need to be punished severely the first time they commit a crime, especially a violent one such as this (please don't comment that no one was actually hurt unless you know how it feels to have a gun waved in front of your face with your life flashing before your eyes). The true misservice is if she is caught, how long do you think she'll spend in jail? She'll make bond or get her court date and be out on the streets again. That's what should sicken you. We need much harsher penalties for criminals but due to overcrowding and cost, I'm sure this will never happen. Sitting in jail doesn't even seem like punishment anymore, free meals, TV, laying in bed--sounds good to a lot of people these days I bet. Maybe she's friends with a Hilton and will get 3-1/2 hours in the clink.

Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Black people in Albert Lea? Oh my! When did that start happening?

Posted by bns2107 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess no one has anything better to do than argue over the internet on a story in the paper. Is it a contest to see who can say the worst things and get the most comments deleted. I do not think puttin these comment things on the web site was the smartest thing that the Tribune has done. It gets sickining. All you guys are doing is arguing over who's right with their percentages and how thinks what. Maybe you should all find something better to do than sitting on the internet all day makin sure that you have the best comment on the web site. GROW UP

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bns2107,
Think maybe you read them too!!!!! I think it's a good way to get your feelings out, I don't agree with all of the comments (especially if you don't consider an innocent persons feelings) Better than riots!

Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Virginian: I am the boss, and if were yours, you wouldn't be employed by me.

Posted by moviegal_75 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that people should remember the person who had the gun pointed at her. I work for this company and I feel very bad for this employee and that this had to happen to her. I hope that she is ok and can get through this with support from her family and friends. It shouldn't matter who did the crime as long as they are caught and brought to justice because the employee will have to live with this memory forever. I hope that she is ok and as another employee I am thinking about her and hope she can get over this.

Posted by UPSETATTHIS (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Does it matter what color they were? no ,the point is it shouldn't be happening.

Posted by diddlyscrumps (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Being Muslim doesn't make you a terrorist...and all terrorists are not muslim, just the ones we choose to pay attention to. I'm pretty sure Timothy McVeigh wasn't muslim.

Posted by diddlyscrumps (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

two terrorists? i don't know what addition and terrorists have to do with anything...

Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Desertdog go lay by your dish!!

Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 8:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You hit it right on the nose you are wasting everybodys time.

Posted by tiff72795 (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Short and sweet I am, cut right to the chase, babbling on and on isnt one of my specialties as it seems to be everyone elses here, my job is the internet

Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Virginian and Desertdog are the same person - just conversing and agreeing with himself! What a loser. What ever happened to Hypocrit? I think all three "users" are the same person!

The best thing we could all do is ignore them!!!

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

desertdog,

I agree with you about illegals, but you might want to reread some of your posts. You came off as saying that no other race is worth having around, if I miss read what you wrote, I will apologize. I got the feeling that no other person was worthy of anything except a military person. Did I really read you wrong or is that what you meant? When someone commits a crime it shouldn't matter what color their skin is, the law is the law. I really don't care how many different colors are in prison, they are there because they broke the law. Unfortunately, it is happening way too often now, don't matter what you blame it on, it's getting out of hand. The courts need to be harder on crimals, but it shouldn't matter of race or wealth.

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for clarifing that. I know there is a BIG problem with illegals, we need to call or write our congress, senate and president. We should bombard them with mail and calls. Something really needs to be done. They also need to take a look at the businesses that go across the border and bring them back here to work, so unAmerican!!!

Posted by purduekelli (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm glad there are more of you "desertdog's" out there.

I pride myself on being an individual - and that's why I am who I am! I don't need to be patted on the back or have my meals/drinks bought for me to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Without a doubt I support every member of our military, past and present - but I support them in my own way. Yes, I have plenty of "items" that are red, white and blue. Yes, I have an American flag flying outside of my house. As a matter of fact, my wallpaper on my computer is just that - an American flag.

I DO NOT, however, believe in the REASONING behind why our troops are in places they should not be! I don't believe in the individual who made the decision to put them there! I cannot find the justification for why thousands and thousands of our soldiers are dead. We are there because of OIL, whether you will admit it or not. This war does not have anything to do with September 11th or Osama Bin Laden!!!

So rest assured, I do give a big THANK YOU to all our armed forces. Also rest assured, I'm not that person driving around town in a gas guzzling, 10-passenger SUV with a yellow ribbon or American flag stuck to the back of the window.

THAT would be unpatriotic, supporting the people who are killing OUR troops! No thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!