Crime Scene at Crispers on Cortez in the "safe" 6200 Block (Bradenton: low crime, felony)

[Ladywithafan]

Crispers worker attacked, robbed
By BETH BURGER - bburger@bradenton.com
An assistant manager of a Crispers Fresh Salads and Such remained in critical condition Sunday night after she was brutally attacked in an armed robbery, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Police received a call at 9:25 a.m. about the crime at the Crispers in the 6200 block of Cortez Road.

Police have not released the name of the victim, who was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. They also are not releasing how the woman was injured or what was taken.

bburger@bradenton.com - Bradenton Police Department detectives investigate an armed robbery Sunday at Crispers Fresh Salads and Such. BETH BURGER/bburger@bradenton.com
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The assistant manager was alone when she was attacked. She routinely arrived early to work and left the door open behind her for other employees to come in.

"It's a real shock for us," said Maria Brous, spokeswoman for Publix Supermarkets. Crispers is a subsidiary of the company.

The restaurant and parking lot were roped off with yellow crime scene tape.

Outside, detectives combed a field behind the restaurant, climbed the rooftop of the building and searched outside Dumpsters looking for evidence.

Company officials remained on the scene throughout the day waiting for police to release the crime scene.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with our associate who is in the hospital right now," Brous said.

The restaurant is expected to be closed until Tuesday.

In the meantime, employees will be offered counseling to cope.

Anyone with information can call Bradenton Police Department Detective James Curulla at 932-9311 or Crimestoppers at (866) 634-TIPS.

Beth Burger, Herald criminal justice reporter, can be reached at 708-7919.
Just another Sunday night in Bradenton...

[Carbondated]

It is horrible what happened to that poor woman. I remember that poor older lady cashier who was beaten to a pulp here at a gas station in Venice not too long ago. Why can't those scum just take the money and run anymore?
My hopes and best wishes that the woman makes a full recovery.
You couldn't pay me enough to work in a cash handling business anymore.

[JennySquirrel]

I just don't get it. Who are these people who are commiting all these crimes? Does Bradenton have a task force to deal with these brutal crimes and a game plan to get them to stop? it is obvious isn't working, so I think they need to come up with a new plan.

If patient deaths start to rise at a hospital, you can be sure that the Director's job is at risk, the state would be all over it and he/she in turn would be all over the Dr's etc.

If a retail store's profits drop due to shrink, etc, that manager is going to lose his/her job. So why isn't the Chief of Police being held accountable for the increase in violent crimes? Why aaren't the cops being held accountable?

As an outsider (and pardon me if I am offending you) but it seems like this town has just been turned over to the criminals and they are being allowed to scare, terrorize, rob, kill ,etc.

Someone better get a hold of this city quick. House prices are bad enough as it is, you sure don't need crime helping to push it down even more.

It's a shame. Sounds like they need Sherrif Joe from Arizona.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by JennySquirrel

I just don't get it. Who are these people who are commiting all these crimes? Does Bradenton have a task force to deal with these brutal crimes and a game plan to get them to stop? it is obvious isn't working, so I think they need to come up with a new plan.

If patient deaths start to rise at a hospital, you can be sure that the Director's job is at risk, the state would be all over it and he/she in turn would be all over the Dr's etc.

If a retail store's profits drop due to shrink, etc, that manager is going to lose his/her job. So why isn't the Chief of Police being held accountable for the increase in violent crimes? Why aaren't the cops being held accountable?

As an outsider (and pardon me if I am offending you) but it seems like this town has just been turned over to the criminals and they are being allowed to scare, terrorize, rob, kill ,etc.

Someone better get a hold of this city quick. House prices are bad enough as it is, you sure don't need crime helping to push it down even more.

It's a shame. Sounds like they need Sherrif Joe from Arizona.

They need the Sheriff from Walking Tall - Buford Pusser! This is crazy.

[JennySquirrel]

ROFL! You are right on that one! I remember that movie, it was my Dad's favorite. I'll date myself and tell you we watched it on betamax! LOL

I'm telling you, I read this and I really and thinking twice about moving to Florida. The storms are one thing but these murders and beatings are another. I just don't get how Floridians are not forcing their officials to do something about this.

I'm not buying the "economy" excuse on this one. I say it is druggies, illegals & gangs. Well, I guess gangs are usually both of those.

People better start to open their mouths and get their officials to deal with this better or they will be losing their cities to gangs and drugs.

It's a shame.

[Ladywithafan]

Batman????

Robin????

[Big House]

Originally Posted by JennySquirrel

ROFL! You are right on that one! I remember that movie, it was my Dad's favorite. I'll date myself and tell you we watched it on betamax! LOL

I'm telling you, I read this and I really and thinking twice about moving to Florida. The storms are one thing but these murders and beatings are another. I just don't get how Floridians are not forcing their officials to do something about this.

I'm not buying the "economy" excuse on this one. I say it is druggies, illegals & gangs. Well, I guess gangs are usually both of those.

People better start to open their mouths and get their officials to deal with this better or they will be losing their cities to gangs and drugs.

It's a shame.

Hey Jenny,
Jump in the water is fine. There are idiots everywhere. I'm proof of that. . . LOL I don't believe that if you do normal everyday things the way you always have that you put yourself in any more or any less danger. Lightning will strike anywhere, and there isn't much you can do about that, but it doesn't stop most people from learning to swim.

And, if everyone didn't swim . . . then half the population wouldn't be hangin' at the beach.

Now, I don't know about you, but I like seeing half the population at the beach . . ., the other half I put up with, because I like the first half so much. . . LOL . . . and don't get me started . . .

[Ladywithafan]

Paul Grant, 59, of 702 51st Street East, Bradenton. He is charged with Attempted Premeditated Murder and Armed Robbery. Those charges may be upgraded if the woman who was shot dies.

Grant is a former assistant manager of Crispers. He quit on July 26, 2008.

Surveillance video captured his image and employees recognized him, according to a NewsManatee confidential source.

Deputy Police Chief J.J. Lewis reported on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 9:25 a.m. Bradenton Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at Crispers Restaurant, 6412 Cortez Road.

Investigation revealed that the female manager was robbed after arriving to open the business in the early morning hours.

The manager, Alyssa Whitson, 39, was shot during the robbery. Grant apparently took her into a closet, where he shot her. That's where she was found, unconscious and bleeding, and the door was locked, according to a police report. A NewsManatee confidential source said she was shot execution-style. Police will not confirm that, but instead referred us to the police report language of their findings, "bleeding from the head, back and unable to communicate."

Whitson was transported to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Doctors say she will likely succumb to her injuries. They were unable to operate on her head wound, because a bullet had fragmented inside her skull.

According to Dep. Chief Lewis, Whitson remains hospitalized in critical condition. She is on life support, sources say.

The restaurant was closed on Monday and there was a staff meeting in progress during the afternoon hours. The front door was being closely guarded, according to Heather Chadwick, NewManatee volunteer reporter/photographer. It was open for business on Tuesday.

Crispers is a subsidiary of Publix Supermarkets.

Grant is in the Manatee County Jail with a bond of $1.2 million dollars.

At the time of his arrest, Grant told police he had been a police officer in New Jersey for eight years. Police are attempting to confirm that, according to Bradenton Dep. Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to call the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, click here.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

Paul Grant, 59, of 702 51st Street East, Bradenton. He is charged with Attempted Premeditated Murder and Armed Robbery. Those charges may be upgraded if the woman who was shot dies.

Grant is a former assistant manager of Crispers. He quit on July 26, 2008.

Surveillance video captured his image and employees recognized him, according to a NewsManatee confidential source.

Deputy Police Chief J.J. Lewis reported on Sunday, September 28, 2008, at 9:25 a.m. Bradenton Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at Crispers Restaurant, 6412 Cortez Road.

Investigation revealed that the female manager was robbed after arriving to open the business in the early morning hours.

The manager, Alyssa Whitson, 39, was shot during the robbery. Grant apparently took her into a closet, where he shot her. That's where she was found, unconscious and bleeding, and the door was locked, according to a police report. A NewsManatee confidential source said she was shot execution-style. Police will not confirm that, but instead referred us to the police report language of their findings, "bleeding from the head, back and unable to communicate."

Whitson was transported to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Doctors say she will likely succumb to her injuries. They were unable to operate on her head wound, because a bullet had fragmented inside her skull.

According to Dep. Chief Lewis, Whitson remains hospitalized in critical condition. She is on life support, sources say.

The restaurant was closed on Monday and there was a staff meeting in progress during the afternoon hours. The front door was being closely guarded, according to Heather Chadwick, NewManatee volunteer reporter/photographer. It was open for business on Tuesday.

Crispers is a subsidiary of Publix Supermarkets.

Grant is in the Manatee County Jail with a bond of $1.2 million dollars.

At the time of his arrest, Grant told police he had been a police officer in New Jersey for eight years. Police are attempting to confirm that, according to Bradenton Dep. Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is asked to call the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS (8477) -- or, to provide an anonymous e-Tip by computer, click here.

It is infuriating isn't it? The best treatment that loser should get would be solitary confinement for life. IMO, I think that harsher treatment needs to be enforced for people that are found guilty of these kind of crimes. People that perpetrate violent crimes . . . like this. . . Well, they should be punished. There is no need to "rehabilitate" someone like this . . . punishment is the only kind of deterrent that will work. Free meals, with TV, newspapers, social hours, and use of a gymnasium (health spa) are not much to deter crime! These guys need punishment, and should be put to hard work in order to repay society (or more directly their victims) for their crime - if they can exercise then make them work. If it doesn't reduce crime significantly, it will work to off-set the cost to house and feed these animals. Giving them free room and board - isn't making them pay for their crime - that is a political spin used to appease society into accepting these animals back into society so the jurisdictions do not have to continue to bear the costs, it facilitates the criminals ability to victimize others again. If we have a solid deterrent then crime will be reduced, if criminals dont' stop, then let us all get it right - reduce cost on society, and reduce crime for real. Sorry for my rant, I try to keep it light.

[JennySquirrel]

Big House, no need to keep it light. I think they should bring back public hanging or firing squads. I bet crime would get under control in a hurry.

We are more concerned if these criminals are getting fair treatment in jail then we are about the victims of their crimes. They are concerned where they read their rights when they were arrested.

The politicians are the ones who let these animals back into society. Look at Pelosi! That nut lets illegal felons back into society only to kill again. Look at the case in San Fran where the man murdered an entire family AFTER he was released from a felony and they knew he was illegal.

Maybe if the politicians weren't so concerned about getting certain races votes, the cities wouldn't be falling prey to these gangs.

But I still say, these cops need to be helds accountable too. I am willing to bet when this woman was shot, there were cops sitting in Starbucks gnawing on a pastry.