We all know the pawnshop is iffy at best. Is there anything for sale there that isn’t stolen? And how come this Xelala who runs the place can hand out money like it was water, giving out loans and buying stuff from any origin, when in fact she’s only twenty years old? She might present herself as a community worker, but isn’t she a bit young to play the rich philanthropic? Those might very well be questions people could ask. Some guys from Russian origin certainly seemed to think so, cause they saw reason to try and rob the place.

Robbing the pawnshop – according to some that would be like stealing from thieves. The guys who tried to mug the owner for what she’s worth didn’t reckon with her fighting back for what she’s worth. One guy lost an eye, the other lost his cool and things didn’t end well at all. However, it wasn’t only the failed robbery which seems surprising, the fact that it took such a lot of effort to end it all is really baffling.

One might expect the pawnshop to be scrutinized by the police department. It is therefore hardly surprising the PD was quick in response when the robbery took place. As if they had been keeping a watchful eye on the store cause no 911 call ever went out. Yet moments later the entire police force showed up, including heavy equipment to storm the place. Apparently a single police officer was not able to apprehend a few robbers. But even more surprising, why would the entire police force of our notorious city help a shopkeeper with, let’s face it, a doubtful reputation? I am not claiming to know the answer but couldn’t someone wonder if there is corruption at play here?

The shopkeeper named Xelan Yheng was not treated well by the robbers as she was almost beaten to death with a baseball bat and when that didn’t work the robbers tried to strangle her. According to the EMT’s Miss Yheng did suffer from cardiac arrest, or in other words she was dead. It was only just in time that she could be saved by one of her coworkers by administration of CPR. Glad somebody at least knows how to do that.

Miss Yheng was not available for questions and neither were the perpetrators of the robbery who are in jail. One can only imagine which new forms of police brutality have taken place in there. This reporter does not know and is only asking questions. Will we ever know the truth? Will we ever be able to sleep well in this city? And when will the public benches in this city finally receive a new layer of paint?

Ashley Slipskin

It took six police officers a battering ram, tear gas
and shotguns to end the hostage situation at the pawnshop.