Officers said a man casually entered a Florida convenience store carrying a firearm and claiming to be from Chicago, but walked out when a clerk showed his weapon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that 32-year-old Rakim Stephen Tate made a bad decision that “became a bad decision” when he walked into a convenience store on Sept.
He is charged with openly carrying a prohibited weapon and attempted robbery with a firearm.
According to security footage, Tate walked around the store for a few seconds, talking to a clerk before what appeared to be a camera in the store outside. Officers said the clerk apparently saw himself armed before Tate entered the store and went into the back room to arm himself with his personal weapon.
“I mean no harm, I’m not from here,” Tate is heard holding up his weapon. “I have a big (without) gun, but I’m not from here what I’m saying. I’m from Chicago bro.”
Tate is heard asking the employee what kind of weapon he has. The employee responds before Tate slowly exits the store.
“He then fumbles for words, resorting to pointless babble about being from Chicago,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “When your felony attempt is thwarted by lawful and righteous force, words begin to fail you.”
Tate was arrested in Santa Rose County on September 15, after officers said, “You’re no longer in Chicago; you’re in custody.”
Officials said the Benelli shotgun that he had allegedly used has also been recovered.