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Barista owners put out warning to would-be robbers: They are armed and ready
Owners at a coffee stand in Anchorage, Alaska, purchased an extra firearm to protect their shop after being robbed. (Image source: KTVA screenshot)

Barista owners put out warning to would-be robbers: They are armed and ready

The owners of a drive-thru coffee stand in Alaska bought some extra insurance in the form of a new gun after someone robbed one of their employees at gunpoint last week.

The owners of AK Sweet Cup, Samantha Brown and her sister Toni Whaley, told KTVA-TV they already had one firearm inside their coffee stand in Anchorage but decided it was time buy another one.

What happened?

The suspects, driving a stolen pickup truck, held up the coffee stand. It's the first robbery to occur at the business since opening four years ago.

The sisters, who weren't on duty when the incident happened, placed the second gun under the counter near the drive-thru window. Both weapons stay loaded, they told the news outlet.

Brown and Whaley said they would do what it takes to keep their employees safe.

"It's not right that we have to feel that way," Brown said. "But there are so many other businesses that have firearms and their employees are armed, and it's because [of] where we live and this city and how far down it's gone. I don't feel safe."

The barista owners said employees are instructed to put their safety first in the event of a robbery, which is what the employee did.

"All of our employees are trained — if they [robbers] have a weapon, you give them what they want," Brown told KTVA.

Pepper spray is also within reach now in case an employee doesn't feel comfortable using a gun.

Whaley and Brown said things might have been different if they had been working because they aren't afraid to use a weapon.

"She would have probably opened that back door and shot their tires out or something," Brown said, referring to her sister.

Have the suspects been caught?

Police have surveillance video of the suspects, but no arrests have been made.

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