Workers use high-heel shoe to fight robber

LAREDO, Texas, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Police in Texas said employees at a liquor store used a 7-inch stiletto heel and other handy objects to fight back against an armed robbery,

Laredo police said the suspect, identified as Fernando Gallegos, 20, pistol-whipped a worker at the Papi Chulos liquor store about 1 a.m. Sunday and demanded money, the San Antonio Express-News reported Tuesday.

Police spokesman Joe Baeza said the employee fought back when Gallegos attempted to force the register open and the gun went off during the struggle, striking the suspect in his inner right thigh. Other employees then joined the fight.

"One of the female employees was successful in [taking] the handgun from the grip of the suspect," Baeza said. "[Employees] used personal weapons, including a 7-inch stiletto heel, to pummel the suspect until they were able to subdue him and take away the weapon."

Baeza said the man fled in a white pickup truck, which was later pulled over with the suspect and two alleged accomplices inside.

Gallegos, 20, was charged with aggravated robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity. He was taken to the Webb County Jail.

Humberto Hilario Gomez, 22, and Nadia Lopez, 35, who allegedly waited for Gallegos in the truck during the incident, were also charged with aggravated robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity.