Crime spree in Wichita
Wichita Police believe that the same man committed five payday loan store robberies in the city this month. The man possibly has an accomplice, but this surveillance photo was released of the man thought to be involved in all five robberies.
Police say:
In each occurrence, the suspect enters the store armed with a handgun with his face covered by a bandanna and demands money from the cash drawers and safes.
Not-so-merry month of June
The string of robberies started June 6, when two payday loan stores were hit in the same day. The most recent robbery was June 19. In four of the five attempts, the gunman got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. The Wichita Eagle reports:
The robber hit the EZ PayDay Advance at 2548 S. Seneca twice, on June 6 and again June 13.
Other targets were the EZ PayDay Advance stores at 3570 N. Woodlawn on June 6, Advance America Cash Advance at 1353 S. Webb Road on June 12, and Check Into Cash at 7809 E. Harry on Friday.
Partners in crime?
Police believe the robber might have an accomplice. The CW news affiliate in Kansas reports:
Police are also asking for your help in finding a possible get-away vehicle. It is described as a copper-colored Chevrolet Corsica.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Wichita Police Department’s Robbery Section at 268-4177 or Crime Stoppers at 267-2111.
More mayhem in Madison
Last week, a payday lender in Madison, Wisconsin, also was robbed. News source WKOW in Wisconsin issued the following news release:
MADISON (WKOW) — Madison Police are searching for a man they believe robbed a loan store on East Washington Avenue, armed with a gun.
Two women working at the Payday Loan store last week, on Monday June 15, say a man entered the store with a handgun and demanded money.
He took off with the cash, walking north on Hermina St. and may have gotten into a red SUV with tinted windows.
The suspect is described as a black man, between 20 and 35 years old, thin build, 5′11-6′3, 150-185 lbs., with a beard, and wearing a tan blazer with hood, light-colored jeans, black shoes, a black skullcap with a brim and a camouflage bandanna.
A common occurrence
Security is important at any business, but payday lenders get targeted often because they keep a large amount of cash on hand. This year payday loan stores in Washington, Indiana, Iowa, Texas, California and more have been targeted. In most cases the robberies are successful, and in many cases the thief is never caught.
One payday loan store robbery in California turned into a high-speed chase. The police showed up as the robber was leaving because an employee tripped a silent alarm located in the store. No one was armed, and the police caught the criminal.
Safety first
It is extremely important for payday lenders to equip their stores with surveillance cameras and alarms systems. For employee’s safety, there should always be more than one person working in the store.
Criminals target payday lenders because of their reputation of lots of cash and little security. It’s time for payday loans stores to take matters into their own hands by protecting their stores and preparing for the worst.
Why do most people have such a negative view of payday lenders?
I am a payday lender.
I see so many people posting how bad payday loans and payday lenders are and how they rip people off, threaten or hassle people who do not pay.