SwordoftheVistula
02-20-2011, 12:26 PM
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2011/02/18/alg_anthony_spinelli.jpg
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/17/2011-02-17_bronx_jeweler_anthony_spinelli_says_he_went_int o_survival_mode_in_gunfight_with_.html
A tough-as-nails Bronx jeweler insisted Thursday he went into "survival mode" when he opened fire on a team of dapper bandits who burst into his shop and put a gun to his temple.
"I was the victim," Anthony Spinelli, 49, said outside Spinelli Jewelers in Belmont. "When somebody puts a gun to your head, things change. Believe me."
"Nobody wants to get shot," Spinelli added. "I don't go in in the morning thinking, 'Okay, I'm gonna shoot.' You go into survival mode."
Spinelli described his dramatic encounter as NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the gutsy jeweler won't face charges and local business owners hailed their new "neighborhood hero."
"This is Arthur Avenue. It's a tough neighborhood by name," said Tony Calandra from his family-owned Calandra's Cheese shop, describing the enclave known as the Little Italy of the Bronx.
"Everyone's proud of him. He did good. He makes the area get respect by the way he acted."
Spinelli transformed into a vigilante Wednesday afternoon after buzzing a well-dressed couple into his store.
As a third man in a button-down shirt and slacks paced outside, the female would-be bandit put a gun to Spinelli's head and demanded he open the safe.
"What am I gonna do now?" Spinelli recalled saying to himself at the time. "Am I going to see my family? It's my birthday in three months. Am I going to see my birthday?"
In a flash, Spinelli whipped out his licensed pistol and unloaded on the duo, who darted outside with a leather briefcase full of watches and jewelry.
The third man, Steven Hall, dashed after them - but he didn't get far.
An enraged Spinelli exploded out of his Arthur Ave. shop and plugged the suspected lookout in his left leg.
The pistol-packing jeweler then chased after Hall's uninjured partners, who dropped the briefcase and hopped into their gold Cadillac getaway car.
Before they tore off, the woman scurried back to pick up the case of loot, witnesses said.
Cops are hunting for two of the suspects.
Hall was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was arrested. The Bronx man, who has three prior arrests, refused to talk to investigators and was awaiting arraignment Thursday night, cops said.
Kelly said Hall and his pals chose the wrong place to rob.
"It was not a good location to pick," the city's top cop said, noting that Spinelli had one gun on him and another in a safe. "He was threatened with the use of deadly force and he responded."
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/17/2011-02-17_bronx_jeweler_anthony_spinelli_says_he_went_int o_survival_mode_in_gunfight_with_.html
A tough-as-nails Bronx jeweler insisted Thursday he went into "survival mode" when he opened fire on a team of dapper bandits who burst into his shop and put a gun to his temple.
"I was the victim," Anthony Spinelli, 49, said outside Spinelli Jewelers in Belmont. "When somebody puts a gun to your head, things change. Believe me."
"Nobody wants to get shot," Spinelli added. "I don't go in in the morning thinking, 'Okay, I'm gonna shoot.' You go into survival mode."
Spinelli described his dramatic encounter as NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the gutsy jeweler won't face charges and local business owners hailed their new "neighborhood hero."
"This is Arthur Avenue. It's a tough neighborhood by name," said Tony Calandra from his family-owned Calandra's Cheese shop, describing the enclave known as the Little Italy of the Bronx.
"Everyone's proud of him. He did good. He makes the area get respect by the way he acted."
Spinelli transformed into a vigilante Wednesday afternoon after buzzing a well-dressed couple into his store.
As a third man in a button-down shirt and slacks paced outside, the female would-be bandit put a gun to Spinelli's head and demanded he open the safe.
"What am I gonna do now?" Spinelli recalled saying to himself at the time. "Am I going to see my family? It's my birthday in three months. Am I going to see my birthday?"
In a flash, Spinelli whipped out his licensed pistol and unloaded on the duo, who darted outside with a leather briefcase full of watches and jewelry.
The third man, Steven Hall, dashed after them - but he didn't get far.
An enraged Spinelli exploded out of his Arthur Ave. shop and plugged the suspected lookout in his left leg.
The pistol-packing jeweler then chased after Hall's uninjured partners, who dropped the briefcase and hopped into their gold Cadillac getaway car.
Before they tore off, the woman scurried back to pick up the case of loot, witnesses said.
Cops are hunting for two of the suspects.
Hall was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was arrested. The Bronx man, who has three prior arrests, refused to talk to investigators and was awaiting arraignment Thursday night, cops said.
Kelly said Hall and his pals chose the wrong place to rob.
"It was not a good location to pick," the city's top cop said, noting that Spinelli had one gun on him and another in a safe. "He was threatened with the use of deadly force and he responded."