Central Arizona Guild Member Averts Phoenix Robbery

From The American Horologist and Jeweler magazine, October, 1946

Central Arizona Guild Member Averts Phoenix Robbery

The United Loan and Jewel;y Company, 331 East Washington Street, Phoenix, Arizona, was the object of an attempted holdup, September 17, 1946, when a fugitive, exconvict entered the store carrying a shotgun. He walked back to the cashier's cage, and going inside, pointed the gun at Mr.
Max Tashjian, Manager and Buyer, and demanded money. Mr. Tashjian offered him $32.00 in one dollar bills and then struck the gun up. There is uncertainty as to whether Tashjian knocked himself in the chin with the butt of the gun, or whether the robber knocked him down, at that point.

Mrs. J. L. Cooper, Bookkeeper and Cashier entered the fray, beating at the gunman and calling out, "He's killing us I" Raymond Gutierrez, watchmaker for the firm heard the cry and ran back through the store, picking up a loaded pistol as he ran. He fired three shots at the robber, as the latter ran toward the front of the store. One of the bullets struck the fleeing man in the mouth. Although he managed to .escape to a stolen automobile, which was parked ready for his getaway, he died in the car.

Raymond Gutierrez is a crack shot, being a pistol and rifle enthusiast, and is classed as one of the most expert marksmen in the State of Arizona.