Store Owner Fights Back
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: February 19, 2013
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - The attempted armed robber of an Altoona business over the weekend came to a sudden end over the when the suspect was grabbed and wrestled to the floor.
Some people who know the owner of Lorico's market, say he has been having a very positive effect on the community since he moved to the Altoona area about four years ago. The way he stopped an armed robber was no surprise to his friends and employees.
Sixty one year old Lou Grillo is a little bit sore and nursing a black eye as a result of his weekend confrontation. He was standing in his neighborhood market at 29th Street and Maple Avenue just after eleven on Sunday morning when a gunman tried to rob the business. Grillo not only grabbed the suspect's arm but wrestled the 19 year old to the ground knocking over tables chairs and store displays.
The fact that he took on the gunman was no surprise to his friends. With the help of another worker, the would-be robber was quickly disarmed and subdued. Altoona Police arrived and took 19 year old Joshua Guido into custody. He's currently in the Blair County Prison facing a long list of criminal charges that include robbery and assault. While Officers say its never a good idea to confront an armed suspect, the store's owners said the Police seemed happy to make this arrest.
In addition to owning the store, a near by bar and grill and an accounting office, Grillo is the pastor at Archways Ministry in Altoona. He says the attempted robbery will not affect his work on programs to improve the quality of life in city neighborhoods.
Some people who know the owner of Lorico's market, say he has been having a very positive effect on the community since he moved to the Altoona area about four years ago. The way he stopped an armed robber was no surprise to his friends and employees.
Sixty one year old Lou Grillo is a little bit sore and nursing a black eye as a result of his weekend confrontation. He was standing in his neighborhood market at 29th Street and Maple Avenue just after eleven on Sunday morning when a gunman tried to rob the business. Grillo not only grabbed the suspect's arm but wrestled the 19 year old to the ground knocking over tables chairs and store displays.
The fact that he took on the gunman was no surprise to his friends. With the help of another worker, the would-be robber was quickly disarmed and subdued. Altoona Police arrived and took 19 year old Joshua Guido into custody. He's currently in the Blair County Prison facing a long list of criminal charges that include robbery and assault. While Officers say its never a good idea to confront an armed suspect, the store's owners said the Police seemed happy to make this arrest.
In addition to owning the store, a near by bar and grill and an accounting office, Grillo is the pastor at Archways Ministry in Altoona. He says the attempted robbery will not affect his work on programs to improve the quality of life in city neighborhoods.
