Tacoma Girl Scout refuses to let attempted robbery stop cookie sales; help ID suspects



TACOMA, Wash. -- A milestone this week for a Tacoma Girl Scout who is one brave 10 year old.

Last weekend the two armed would-be robbers pictured above tried to steal cash from her cookie booth. While they're still wanted, the courageous scout has set up shop in the exact same spot -- and surrounded by community support.

"I want to thank everyone," says 10-year-old Haliyah DuBois. "And I feel really thankful for everyone coming out here."

Thursday was a milestone day for a Girl Scout who is one tough cookie. Haliyah is back in the spot where last weekend two young men tried to rob her cookie booth outside the Tacoma Fred Meyer on Pacific Avenue and 72nd.

"Why would they do such a thing?" asks Haliyah.

But it wasn't just an attempted robbery, it appears these two were armed.



"When he was asking or demanding money, he raised his shirt and thought she saw a handgun tucked in his waistband," says Loretta Cool with Tacoma Police.

Mom Jenny's quick thinking sent Haliyah inside. And using a loud voice alerted passersby to what was going on. The would-be robbers left empty-handed.

"When you get that feeling and the hair on the back of your neck stands up," says Cool, "you need to listen to it. Because it’s telling you something is not right."

Haliyah says she's proud of her mom: "I think she was brave to stand up to them."

And she's thankful for the support and love from fellow Girl Scouts and the community. Some Marine veterans, part of the Washington Three Percenters, even volunteering to hang out with them for protection since the suspects haven't been found.

And now with a sign proclaiming: You can't keep Girl Scouts down, she's back in business.

"I think I'm really confident," says this fifth-grader. "And I wanted to inspire all the other Girl Scouts."

She's back selling cookies to fund her troop to go camping and to make care packages for people who are living on the street.

"Got some respect for these girls," says customer Don Leske. "They must have been scared."

And customers were impressed with her for turning an experience so bitter into a story as sweet as the cookies she's selling.

"How cool is that? To stand up, stand tall. If you fall off the horse, get back in the saddle," says Leske.

And if you want to come out to support this brave Girl Scout, you can find them on Saturday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shop in Tacoma.

Detectives think the two suspects are white and in their late teens or early 20's

If you recognize them, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), or use the P3 Tips App to submit your information.

It's anonymous -- you never have to give your name -- and you'll get a cash reward up to $1,000 if your tip leads to an arrest and charges in this case.