Young clerks wrestle gun away from would-be robber

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Two teenage store clerks took a gun away from a man attempting to rob their family’s Clearwater, Florida store Saturday night, then locked him in the store until police arrived.

17-year-old Ali Ateia said he noticed the man acting suspiciously as he entered the Food Mart and headed toward the beer cooler. He said he noticed an odd bulge near the man’s waistline, which he thought might be a gun. Ali Ateia alerted his brother, 16-year-old Haidar, in their native Arabic.The brothers, who are originally from Iraq, jumped the suspect as he reached for the weapon.

The suspect was later identified as Clarence Lampkins, 56, of Clearwater. Ali Ateia said Lampkins put up a fight but the brothers eventually were able to get the gun from him. Lampkins tried leaving, but the two store employees locked him inside using a 4-foot stick wedged into the front door. Ali Ateia said they keep the stick and a large knife behind the register in case they encounter an unruly customer.

Clearwater officers said they seized a .38-caliber gun and a small amount of cocaine. Lampkins is charged with armed robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine and carrying a concealed weapon.