Affidavit: Barista Feared For Life, Shot Robber

ST77 · Jan 20, 2011

http://www.kptv.com/news/26561254/detail.html

EUGENE, Ore. -- An Oregon coffee shop barista says he shot and killed an armed robber when the man briefly looked away while holding him at gunpoint, according to a newly released court document.

The Dutch Bros. barista told Eugene police he feared for his life in the Nov. 24 holdup, the document says. The barista said he pulled a Glock .40-caliber handgun from his waistband and fired several shots at the robber, who returned gunfire with at least two shots, The Register-Guard reported.

Sirus Combs collapsed and died in the coffee stand's doorway while clutching a wad of stolen cash in one hand and a pistol in the other, Eugene police Detective Dan Braziel wrote in the probable-cause affidavit filed after investigators arrested Combs' alleged accomplice Jan. 14.

After the barista allowed Combs to take cash from the till, Combs ordered him to turn around, the affidavit said. The worker "thought Combs was having him turn around so he could execute him," Braziel wrote.

As the barista turned, he noticed Combs looking down -- which gave the Dutch Bros. employee the opportunity to draw his gun, the affidavit states.

He "realized this was his one chance to survive," Braziel wrote.

After shooting Combs, the barista said he encountered a second robber, who raised a handgun toward him, Braziel said.

The barista fired twice toward the accomplice, who returned fire and then ran away, the affidavit states.

Braziel filed the document in Lane County Circuit Court to support criminal charges against Brandon Lee Plunk, 27, the man accused of accompanying Combs, also 27, to the coffee stand and exchanging gunfire with the barista before fleeing.

Plunk was being held at the Lane County Jail on charges that include attempted aggravated murder and robbery.

Plunk denied involvement when Braziel interviewed him following his arrest, the affidavit states.

The document details how, nearly two months after the robbery, police managed to track down Plunk at his Eugene home.

Braziel wrote that he obtained key information in the case from a Lane County Jail inmate who helped police contact a witness to the crime.

The Register-Guard did not identify the Dutch Bros. employee because he is a crime victim. Police previously said he is in his 20s.
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CopDoctor · Jan 20, 2011

bold move, makes me proud in a way.

Andrew H · Jan 20, 2011

Good for him.

Dimonback · Jan 20, 2011

Sad that a kid had to do it.

Zombie Runner · Jan 21, 2011

props for that kid taking a stand

badguybuster · Jan 21, 2011

Good for him. Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6.

HarryTaco · Jan 21, 2011

Makes me want to own a gun.

THExBUSxDRIVER · Jan 21, 2011

Bravo Mr. coffee maker.

Although now he has to live with the choice. To some it can be bothersome.

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Affidavit: Barista Feared For Life, Shot Robber

#1 ST77 [OP] Wandering doesn't mean you're lost

#2 CopDoctor Well-Known Member

#3 Andrew H What is this "search" you speak of?

#4 Dimonback Well-Known Member

#5 Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

#6 badguybuster Well-Known Member

#7 HarryTaco Well-Known Member

#8 THExBUSxDRIVER Victory is reserved...

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: Guns & Hunting

#1
ST77 [OP] Wandering doesn't mean you're lost

#2
CopDoctor Well-Known Member

#3
Andrew H What is this "search" you speak of?

#4
Dimonback Well-Known Member

#5
Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

#6
badguybuster Well-Known Member

#7
HarryTaco Well-Known Member

#8
THExBUSxDRIVER Victory is reserved...

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