State senator fights gunman at his Peoria business

PEORIA (AP) — A state senator from Peoria says he fought off an armed robber who interrupted him while he was doing some remodeling at his business.

Democratic Sen. Dave Koehler (KAY'-ler) says he was painting Thursday night when a man with a gun appeared and demanded money. Koehler says he gave the robber what was in his pocket and told him to leave.

The man demanded Koehler's cell phone next, but the senator says he instead knocked the man against a wall and took the gun.

Koehler says he broke a finger in the struggle.

Koehler says he regrets leaving a door unlocked at his Peoria Bread Company. He says he also regrets that the north side of town "again gets a bad rap."

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Information from: Ed Hammond, WMBD-AM