DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines police have charged two minors with theft while investigating a report of shots fired on Tuesday.
It was a routine Tuesday morning for Eric and Tanya Frangos, co-owners of Jim's Coney Island in south Des Moines.
"We opened at 10, and we had one customer at 10:15," Eric told Local 5.
A mere 15 minutes later, however, they heard an unexpected noise from the front lobby.
"We just heard a big crack," Eric said. "We were in the back and didn't really know what happened."
That "big crack" turned out to be the sound of a bullet coming straight through the building. Officers were called to the restaurant, located on SW 9th Street, around 10:30 a.m. for reports of shots being fired.
The Frangos' said the bullet came through the front wall of the building before hitting a booth, with a customer sitting just across the table.
"It was close to him. Too close for comfort," Eric said. "Fortunately, nothing happened, and he wasn't hit."
According to police, both potential suspects were detained as of 10:40 a.m. Tuesday.
A vehicle witnesses said was involved with the shooting was found nearby hours later. Police claim that vehicle was stolen.
As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, two male juveniles face the following:
- Theft-2nd Degree
- Interference with Official Acts
Despite the damage to their space, the local business owners are just thankful that no one was hurt.
“It all happened really fast and it was short," Eric said. "It just kinds blows you a way a little bit, that it could happen here.”
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