Robbed then fired, workers battle bosses at cash stores
Corporate conduct called 'outrageous'
By Brian Maass, CBS4 News, Special to the Rocky
Published May 19, 2008 at 9 p.m.
Updated May 20, 2008 at 6:11 a.m.
Four employees of a nationwide check-cashing company - all fired after being held at gunpoint by armed robbers - are speaking out about what they call "outrageous" corporate conduct.
They were the victims of armed robberies at ACE Cash Express stores in Denver in the past six months. The Dallas- based company fired each within three days of the hold-ups for failing to follow company-mandated security procedures, according to the employees.
In each case, the workers say that following company security procedures would have left them dead.
Eric Norrington, an ACE vice president, defended the company's decision to fire the workers.
"We believe . . . when everybody follows the procedures, it protects everyone," he said. "When you fail to do so, it puts everyone at risk."
Felicia Dia, who worked for ACE Cash Express for six years and was a district training manager, said ACE needs to rethink its policy.
"The company needs to know it's not OK to fire victims, it's not good," she said.
In Dia's case, she and ACE worker Desiree Lopez were robbed Jan. 11 at an ACE store at 4890 Chambers Road. Two masked men jumped from the ceiling, surprising the two women. One had a gun.
"I kept thinking how it was going to end, and I thought I was going to die," Lopez said.
The gunmen seemed to have inside knowledge of company security procedures, warning the women not to enter any "funny code" into the safe, she said.
Workers say they can send a silent "stress alarm" that will summon police by punching additional numbers into the keypad when opening a store's safe.
"He says I better not see any police. If I do I'm going to kill you guys," said Dia.
The women say the robbers got away with $25,000.
Three days later, both women say company managers met with them and fired them, saying they failed to follow security procedures.
"What did you expect me to do with a guy standing there with a gun telling me he's going to kill us?" asked Dia.
Monica Perea tells a nearly identical story. She was working at an ACE store at 361 S. Colorado Blvd. on Nov. 3. A robber dropped through the ceiling of the store and held a gun to her head.
"I honestly thought I was going to die," she said. "I thought I was never going to see my children ever again. I was terrified."
She said the robber warned her not to put anything "funny" in the keypad as he held the gun to the back of her head.
The thief got $9,000, she said.
Three days later the company terminated her for failing to follow proper security procedures.
"I was always told during a robbery to cooperate. They (ACE) told me my life was more important than money. Money was replaceable, my life wasn't."
Andre Robledo said he liked his $15.50-an-hour job as an ACE manager until the morning of Jan. 21. A masked gunman approached him as he opened the store at 3375 Colorado Blvd. He says the gunman threatened to "smoke him" if he used the panic buttons or entered alarm codes into the safe.
Robledo said he tried anyway, but was not successful in entering the stress alarm in the store's safe. He now thinks if he had succeeded in summoning police, "I probably would have been killed."
The robber got $26,000, said Robledo.
The next day, Robledo, a father of two, was told to meet with his district manager. He thought the company was going to offer him counseling.
The fired workers have hired an attorney and filed suit against the company.
"This is just one of the most callous, outrageous ways of treating an employee that I've ever heard of," said attorney Gregg McReynolds. He said the corporation revictimized the employees.
ACE, which offers a variety of check-cashing and financial services, has 42 stores in the metro area, and 1,700 stores nationwide.
The company released a statement Monday saying: "ACE Cash Express regrets these incidents. ACE is confident that it acted appropriately with regard to these unfortunate incidents in Colorado, has denied the allegations of any wrongful or unlawful employment actions and will defend its actions in this legal matter."
Denver Police say they have arrested one man in connection with the robberies, but are seeking other suspects.
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May 20, 2008
1:36 a.m.
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jmfslots writes:
I have known of Companies that will fire employees for not following company policy, and refusing to give robbers what they demand or following assailants outside of the store because it risks the employees life and health. This is the first time I've ever heard of a company firing employees for not taking chances when they feel threatened or that further danger exists if they do follow policy. Regardless of what they claim, Ace Cash is worried about loosing money- not the safety of employees. I feel it's poor judgement on their behalf. I would not support this employer.
May 20, 2008
5 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
I workd for a drugstore chain.I had a drunken customer come in and threaten to cause extreme physical harm to all of us.Well I called the police and they came out and took a report and the license plate number.He was arrested for drunken driving later in the day.We all got the managers unending wrath.He was mad we called the police.He made all of us miserable to the point we had to find new jobs.I mean miserable as in a real donkey's behind.So I have no doubt this place would be any different.What they are saying is they terminate people after a robbery.What they aren' saying it is because they believe the people working there might be involved.But if you worked in a place for 6 years and then throw them out like a piece of garbage.That is just wrong but big business is not known for it touchy feelie way of doing business.
May 20, 2008
6:52 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
I get shot in a robbery, and the boss keeps my lazy ass around; go figure; it must be an Italian thing! We Irish fight back. Now he places not only his sons, but the third generation of his blood under my watch in the world of business. I don't know what company protocol these check cashing places employ; I prefer to serve the God Of Rome...They shouldn't have lost thier jobs; the company needed to place an armed gaurd, or one mean convict with manners, at the gate. You don't leave sheep unattended....
May 20, 2008
6:54 a.m.
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Spencer writes:
sounds like a good reason for a lawsuit. Not all lawsuits are frivolous.
May 20, 2008
6:57 a.m.
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fiesty writes:
It's not like these folks just decided not to enter the code- apparently the robbers knew about the duress alarm, and were specifically watching to keep them from using it. There is no way they could have entered the code ("followed procedures") without being shot and killed.
I'm with Spencer. This is definitely a legitimate lawsuit.
May 20, 2008
7:16 a.m.
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seebox writes:
Why is it that an employee just coming on duty for the day already knows the security code to open a safe known to contain large sums of money? Why not give new coeds every day and have to request a new code every day before the safe can be opened. Rotate times when a safe can and cannot be opened...........but file a lawsuit for surviving a robbery first?
May 20, 2008
7:25 a.m.
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MarcoPolo writes:
Robbed by thugs, then fired by thugs. What can you do?
May 20, 2008
7:32 a.m.
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jacka writes:
Doubt many will want to go work for this company. As word gets out they'll probably just need to increase their payroll expense 20-40%.
At about 5-10% VP Norrington will find himself fired for being a bonehead ... that or this article is a TOTAL PLANT and he is right that they failed to do there jobs.
Hummmmmmmmmmm
May 20, 2008
7:49 a.m.
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Marshdale writes:
This is just another example of how corporations can get away with anything when it come to treatment of workers. This victim was with them for six years. Obviously they considered her to be a valued employee ay one time. $25,000 is all they got. I wonder what retraining costs will be to replace that person. Corporations are so stupid sometimes, not to mention heartless and ruthless.
May 20, 2008
7:49 a.m.
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Marshdale writes:
This is just another example of how corporations can get away with anything when it come to treatment of workers. This victim was with them for six years. Obviously they considered her to be a valued employee ay one time. $25,000 is all they got. I wonder what retraining costs will be to replace that person. Corporations are so stupid sometimes, not to mention heartless and ruthless.
May 20, 2008
7:53 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
I usually hate lawsuits but this time I hope a jury legally robs this company for their stupidity.
May 20, 2008
8:03 a.m.
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karma writes:
Ugh, shame on ACE.
I have been robbed at gunpoint 4 times, and another 2 with knives. All 3 of the companies I was working for at those times had policies and procedures in place in the event of an armed robbery, the first one being Keep Yourself Safe; hitting the silent alarm was something we were told to do ASAP...but only if it wouldn't put us at greater risk. I hit the alarm once, the very first time. He didn't know about it and I got the chance. But then the cops came racing up with their sirens blaring and guns drawn and the robber barricaded us in. Great idea! Suddenly I was stuck in the store with a really pissed off a**hole with a gun. Knowing the cops are outside really isn't much help there. Cooperate, pay attention and get them out. You can't give a good description of someone if you're soaking in a pool of your own blood.
Thankfully, in every case my employers first concern was my welfare, NOT how much money they just lost
(lost? Not quite, bad wording on my part as it was covered by insurance).
Kudos to these people for doing what they knew was right to keep themselves alive in the midst of a horrible and scary situation.
Shame on ACE for putting a few grand over an employees life. I wonder if they've considered the cost of the lawsuits that would have happened had these employees followed procedure and ended up dead.
May 20, 2008
8:07 a.m.
davies writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
May 20, 2008
8:13 a.m.
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Scott writes:
What I'm about to say is going to shock ALL of the usual posters: If the story is correct these fired employees should find a lawyer and sue the living daylights out of ACE.
Remember a few months back when these ripoff outfits were putting all kinds of commercials on TV exhorting how great they are and that the Colorado legislature should not impose interest restrictions on them? They only charge upwards of 40% interest! I've always considered these companies nothing more than 21st century mobsters, ACE, et al successfully bought of the Colorado politicians, now they think that they can do anything, e.g. wrongful discharge.
Scott
May 20, 2008
8:25 a.m.
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steve00 writes:
I do not believe that the paper just told the world that robbing an ACE can net $25,000 and that they have a silent stress alarm triggered by safe codes. If I was ACE, I think I would be suing the paper. They just painted a target on all ACE stores in the area.
May 20, 2008
8:58 a.m.
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hdfresh writes:
Where can I apply for a position for ACE Cash Express? There are openings right?
May 20, 2008
9:09 a.m.
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ItsJustme writes:
What an irresponsible article! RMN, you may cost someone their life! Informing the entire world what some of the security procedures are and how much money may be on hand. You should be ashamed! What was served by revealing this information? Nothing!
May 20, 2008
9:16 a.m.
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kathyM writes:
Wow, that's cold. But look at who the employer is: nothing more than a legalized loan shark.
May 20, 2008
9:29 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
If a company made a policy that employees had to stand on their heads and shoot firebolts from their arse during a robbery that would seem unreasonable. The ACE corporate policy is equally insane.
Once robbers take physical control of the employees, their only option is to cooperate if they want to survive. Interestingly, the robbers seemed to know this corporation's policies and procedures. That might suggest that the bosses themselves were in on the robbery, not the employees who were held at gunpoint. But we cannot prove that...yet.
What we can prove is that the bosses robbed their employees of their jobs and paychecks after putting their lives in mortal danger.
I'd love to be on this jury. It's rare that we get the opportunity to move billions of dollars so quickly away from evil and towards deserving people and thereby help the US economy.
Sadly, most medium and large corporations operate this way. The ACE bosses didn't want to spend money for necessary security. They'd rather let us taxpayers foot their bill with our police force. They chose to implement a fake security policy as if the rest of us should be so stupid as to accept this pretense. Then they have the delusional chutzpah to scapegoat and fire the people whose lives they put in jeopardy.
Scapegoating is a popular pastime of today's management. Their motto is "Never accept responsibility so long as you have a subordinate to blame!"
You see this in the highest echelons of our existing government.
The moral of the story is: empower yourselves.
Never vote for anyone who will empower the bosses. They will always do so at your expense while telling you that it's all for your own good.
If you don't have millions stashed away in an offshore bank then you need a union. If you are a laborer or a skilled worker then you need a union. If you are a bank teller or a lowly accountant or auditor, you need a union. If you are a scientist, technician, or engineer then you need a union. If your company is offshoring jobs then you need a union.
You need a union that will represent your interests. Push government to criminalize bosses who hurt their companies, harm their employees, and commit other such acts of treason against the American people. Because there is only one answer that applies to criminal bosses that do what those at ACE boys have done and that is punishment so severe that they'll wish they'd never been born.
May 20, 2008
9:41 a.m.
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lappy writes:
Doesn't this company know that reason and procedures go out the window when your life is threatened? This is outrageous. These companies need their CEO's to face the fear and dilemna that these employees have faced, then they need to rewrite the rules. What a sad state of affairs when an American company thinks more about 'procedures' than a person's life. My suggestion is noone ever go for a job at these stupid places and work at maccas instead. Good on you for hiring lawyers and going after these corporate idiots!
May 20, 2008
9:58 a.m.
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The_Punnisher writes:
The ACE CEO needs to work the counter for a while...
I bet he S**TS his pants when he actually is robbed...
If people find out he's working the counter, people will stand in line to cap his @zz...
These SHYLOCKS need to be terminated....with extreme prejudice...
May 20, 2008
10:35 a.m.
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OhBrother writes:
this is crazy...
May 20, 2008
10:48 a.m.
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Tezcumpapa writes:
They were robbed by people who knew about the security procedure. Then fired almost immediately by other people who knew about the procedure. Who ordered the firing? They did a CYA. The robbery was an inside job.
May 20, 2008
11:07 a.m.
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blacksho89 writes:
happymike: You're like Forrest Gump, dude, you've been through everything! You should write a book!
May 20, 2008
11:35 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
I'm speechless. This is one of the craziest stories I've ever read. Not only that this company fired these people, but that they actually believe they are going to prevail in court! The only thing that would shock me more at this point is if they actually do.
May 20, 2008
12:31 p.m.
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CalebTGL writes:
While I think it's really low of the company to fire people in this situation I don't really understand how it would be illegal. These employees were almost certainly employed "at will," as opposed to under the terms of some employment contract. They may quit at any time for any reason, and the company may fire them at any time for any reason or no reason.
I kind of doubt that they will receive "billions of dollars" as a result of their litigation...
May 20, 2008
1:49 p.m.
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gkb2008 writes:
Hopefully robbers with inside information will continue to plunder this sleazy corporation to the point where it goes belly up. Payday loan corporations are a blight and a shame in our communities and are nothing more but loan sharks, shysters, extortionists, and hoods. They exploit and use the most economically vulnerable and fragile individuals and families in our communities in a most obscenely greedy unChristian way.
May 20, 2008
2:38 p.m.
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johnmps writes:
Sounds like Ace needs to rethink their policy on security indeed, but not with their employees. How are these guys getting through the ceilings in the first place? Poor planning and set up of these facilities shows their greed for money. Hmmm...lots of cash, poor security procedures, and neon signs in the window with "CASH'...like taking candy from a baby. Ace should be ashamed for even hiring folks, and clearly putting them in harms way, then to blame and fire them...??? Gross negligence on their part. I hope these employees sue, and I'm on the jury.
May 20, 2008
2:42 p.m.
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jennd writes:
Wow! I can not belive this story.
I have been at the wrong end of the gun and believe me when I say it scares the *(&^%^ out of you I gave him what he wanted and he left. The company that I worked for said they were glad I was not hurt and to take a couple days off paid! I know work for a Credit Union and the first thing we teach in robbery training is give them what they want and keep safe! the money is insured as I am sure they have insurance at Ace. This should have never happened! but I agree when you work for a legal loan shark you are bound to get bit.
May 20, 2008
2:51 p.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Hey blackshoe
I"m to smart to be a gump.Stupid is like stupid does.Thanks for noticing.Just kidding you have a great day thanks for the idea.May be I will try to write one after all.
Happymike
May 20, 2008
3:30 p.m.
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peterpi writes:
I have read numerous articles and other sources that say newspapers routinely say "the robbers left with an undetermined amount of cash". You bet the business and the cops know how much, but it's best left unstated. I can't believe the Rocky published the amount.
Dropping from the ceiling, knowing procedures, knowing about distress or duress codes. This is the work of either pros or past employees.
I'm in agreement with everyone else. If the facts are as the article relates, then I hope these people win big at court. Every company I was ever with said "Follow these guidelnes, but your safety comes first. Protect yourself."
May 20, 2008
4:54 p.m.
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roger44 writes:
Need laws like AZ has, can legally shoot the robber in the back on the way out. Phoenix TV station showed jewelry store owner plugging a guy with a 45, wanted criminals to know that it was legal. They have surveillance cameras in those joints? They should.
May 20, 2008
5:16 p.m.
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Chadley25 writes:
Times are tough, the economy is souring, the housing market continues its collapse, people may be thinking about turning to crime... well at least now, thanks to this article, people know about ACE's security procedures and about how much cash to expect from their robbery. Nice job, Rocky.
May 20, 2008
6:11 p.m.
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TheDenverB writes:
this is absurd.
this company is going to bury themselves through bad public relations.
bottom line is that they are insured for this money and it doesn't even hurt them to lose it in the robbery.
now, to fire these people afterward for some 'policy' is completely effed... and it honestly reeks of something more twisted, as in this is the policy they created to keep employees from being in on robberies.
now, that said, if these people WERE in on the robberies.. then great.. the policy worked. but that isn't even in question here, and these people are getting screwed by the company.
i hope ACE gets burned in court over this.
on a side note about the commenters:
unionize? please, most people dont hold jobs long enough in today's world to make that worthwhile. unions have their place, but for things like the check cashing industry?
and...
"well at least now, thanks to this article, people know about ACE's security procedures and about how much cash to expect from their robbery. Nice job, Rocky."
really? you think this article is going to spawn copycat robberies? 1) i doubt people who rob ace check cashing places read the rocky and 2) that's how the news works.
May 20, 2008
7:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
Unionize?
People are not allowed to keep their jobs long enough to make union membership worthwhile? That's the best argument you can make?
Thank you. You've made a good case for them to have a union because the union might help them to keep their jobs for as long as they want. A union might make the pay worthwhile, so that people will want to keep their jobs.
A union is a collective bargaining organization that empowers workers. Bosses want you to be isolated and divided. Your isolation makes you easier to control, abuse, and exploit. Your isolation makes it easier for them to put your life in danger so that they can make a few extra bucks instead of offering you hazard pay. A union for these check cashing clerks would insist on hiring a security guard to deal with the robbers AND offer hazard pay for those on the firing line.
There's one and only one type of worker who doesn't want a union and that's the kind who's had the wool pulled over his eyes and insists that the view is better that way.
May 20, 2008
7:34 p.m.
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HollyGoLightly writes:
Karma- The same thing happened to me 10 years ago. The teller next to me hit the alarm while we were being robbed and the cops pulled up as the robber left the premises. There was no time to lock the door. Needless to say, he turned around and marched right back in pissed off firing a shotgun. We all lived by crawling on our hands and knees behind the teller line to the back.
This is one lawsuit I hope these victims win!
May 20, 2008
9 p.m.
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queen writes:
It's amazing to me that so many of you are believers in what you read. Is what you read a factual article or just someones perception of what has happened? Since not one of us was there I think you are all passing judgement a little prematuraly. What I do know for sure is that a lot of innocent lifes are not at rish as a result of information being shared in this article that should have never touched the paper. Two wrongs don't make a right and how fair is it to put others at risk to make your self look good or to have people feel sorry for you? In this case not all of the facts are acurate whether it be by the news paper or the interviewees. So please be careful in judging!!
May 20, 2008
10:33 p.m.
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GWBushwacked writes:
I say put these check cashing places out of business...
And Queen----please.....which ACE Express do you work for ?
May 21, 2008
7:02 a.m.
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incognitoboy writes:
how about putting a motion-detector burglar sensor in the ceilings? surely they have security cameras? do these places have bullet resistant glass in front of the worker? ANY common-sense theft deterrents in place here??? when you're dealing with large sums of cash, it's irresponsible not to, and ACE needs to lose this lawsuit to wake their @zz up! seems they've made it too easy...
May 23, 2008
7:56 a.m.
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ziggy writes:
ACE is stupid in more ways than one.
First, for firing the people.
Second, for not having a 15 minute delay on the safe and posting it clearly. A customer wanting money will wait another 15 minutes for the safe to be opened but a robber will not want to take the chance.