Only On KCAL9: RadioShack Employee Relates Fear Of Being Held Up By Gunpoint
PICO RIVERA (CBSLA.com) — For the third time in six months, a Pico Rivera RadioShack was robbed Sunday.
According to authorities, in this robbery three men entered the store, forced two store employees into a bathroom and made off with about $300 in cash, smart phones and other electronic devices.
The robbery was reported just after 1:31 p.m. at 8275 E. Washington Blvd., said Lt. John Anderson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Upon entering the store the suspects forced one of two female store employees to unlock the cellphone cabinet, Anderson said. Then they were told to lock themselves in the bathroom.
There were no customers in the store at the time of the robbery.
About 15 minutes later, the workers came out of the restroom to see that the robbers had fled, the lieutenant said.
KCAL9's Melanie Woodrow went to the store Sunday evening and saw a "Closed" sign on the door.
In a story that is Only on KCAL9, Woodrow spoke to 20-year-old Lauren Cohen, one of the women who locked themselves in the lavatory during the robbery.
"I was freaking out," said Cohen.
Of the three RadioShack robberies, this was her second.
This time was different, however. Cohen said the suspects threatened her with physical violence.
"They told us to put our hands up and said [if we didn't comply] 'We will shoot you,'" said Cohen.
One of three suspects had been by the store earlier to case the place, Cohen said. The suspect returned with two friends. At least one had a gun. The men were wearing gloves and one told Cohen to take him to the back room.
"As soon as he said that I knew [a robbery] was going to happen," said Cohen.
Police are reviewing surveillance video and footage from a store next door where one of the suspects reportedly purchased an energy drink before the robbery.
"I just wish I was here when it happened so my associates wouldn't have to feel that fear," said Ramon Arceo, RadioShack manager.
Cohen said she'll take a week off but will return to work.
She told Woodrow she has more than seen her share of robberies and hopeful it won't happen again.
"I'm really hoping not," she said, "I hope not."
