Story Published: Dec 3, 2009 at 6:41 PM PST
Store surveillance video shows a hispanic male waited for a cashier - safe behind an enclosed office - to open her door. Without any idea of the man outside, she opened the door and was suddenly standing with a gun in her face. Her son stood closely behind her. With gun in hand, the man pushed her over to the cashier, stole everything inside and took off.
"I was not scared but the employee was really shaking, she was crying," Atomic Owner Hardip *Grewal said.
The man came into Atomic during the dinner hour while other people were shopping inside. In fact, every robbery has been during lunch or dinner time. No one was hurt....yet. But some detectives think it could only be a matter of time.
"You're obviously concerned about the safety of those being robbed and those standing around," Pasco Police Captain Jim Raymond said.
In fact, after robbing a cashier at Sandoval's Market in Basin City Wednesday evening, the same man robbed a customer who just happened to be standing there.
As robberies continue to make the headlines, more store owners are looking at ways to halt the hold-ups. For many, it's not easy.
"Are there any other security precautions you feel like you need to make now?" Action News asked. "We have almost done everything you can do but when the time comes you don't know anything, there are customers in the store, you can't really think, you know?" Grewal said.
Atomic Foods hasn't seen a hold-up in at least three years. Even with that lucky streak, the owner said he still spent $7,000 grand on a security system. He's wired 16 cameras inside and outside the store, he's cleared windows and even bought brighter lights inside. Not to mention, it's a stone's throw from Pasco P.D.
"If they can do it feet off the police station they an easily do it anywhere else here," Grewal said.
Police put all businesses on alert, especially convenience stores, to look for a robber.
"Now we got to catch him," Raymond said. "And we believe it's going to be the public that will help us catch him."
The man has been inside the store by himself but police suspect other people are involved. we also have new information on the get-away car. Franklin County Sheriff's said he's likely driving a green Impala, Honda, or Hyundai-type of car, with chrome after-market rims and low profile tires.
If you see anything suspicious, call Pasco P.D.
*The spelling of Grewal's name was accidentally transposed. Our apologies.
