Robberies Prompt Grocery Store To Add Security Guards

A chain of grocery stores, targeted twice by thieves in the last week, is adding security guards.

Safeway has announced that it will add guards to each of it’s Colorado Springs stores effective immediately.

This comes after an armed robbery on Wednesday of the store on North Circle Drive and Galley Road. Last Friday, the store on North Academy Boulevard and Carefree Drive was robbed by an armed man as well. The suspect in both cases is described as black, around six feet tall and in his mid-30s. No one was hurt in either robbery.

“Safety of our employees and our customers is a top priority and putting security in our stores front and center is a step in the right direction,” said Kris Staaf, Director of Public Affairs for Safeway. “We hope we can make everyone feel good about shopping at Safeway.”

There was also an attempted sexual assault in the bathroom of a store on West Colorado Avenue on December 20, 2011.

Staaf directed all questions about the investigation toward law enforcement and did not want to indicate that this may be a crime trend.

“We’re cooperating with police at this time,” said Staaf. “Putting a security guard in the store perhaps will make someone think twice [before trying to robbing a store].”

A viewer contacted KRDO Newschannel 13 on Thursday about adding security measures. She wanted to remain anonymous but said at least one Safeway pharmacy in Colorado Springs had been targeted by thieves recently. She was also worried about employees with cash at the store, especially so close to the doors.

That viewer contacted the newsroom again upon learning of the beefed up security. She said she’s relieved for her family members who work at the store. She mentioned the security guards would be armed but that could not be confirmed through Safeway on Thursday.