‘Robbed by my own people’
August 25th, 2009 - 7:18 pm ICT by IBNSBy Samrat Banerjee
Aug 25 (IBNS) A manhunt had been launched for three persons accused of conducting a robbery in a clothing store on Southwest Allen Boulevard, a busy street populated by Hispanic-owned businesses.
The owners and one of their customers were held hostage during the robbery.
Sigi (pronounced see-he) Roman, accompanied by his wife Maria, said: I was afraid maybe they would shoot my wife or the other guy, the other customer.
The Latino American couple said: The three Hispanic suspects, all men, were only in the store about 15 minutes. But while trying on pants the men were really waiting for other customers to leave before robbing them take-over style. The men came into their Beaverton store, Firme Clothing, just before 2100 hours Saturday night.
“He was carrying a gun. He hit me right here and he told me to stop, to stay calm,” Roman said.
Within seconds Roman said the men overpowered everyone in the store by beating, kicking and even throwing them down. All while they screamed for intruders to stop.
Roman says he, his wife and a remaining customer in the store were all forced into a back area of the store. There they were forced down onto the ground and had duct tape wrapped around their hands, their feet and their mouths.
Police are looking for a large white sedan, possibly a Lincoln Town Car, believed to be the getaway car. Roman said they are offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to arrest.
Tags: 15 minutes, american couple, banerjee, boulevard, busy street, clothing store, duct tape, getaway car, hostage, intruders, lincoln, lincoln town car, manhunt, mouths, robbery, saturday night, southwest allen, three persons, wife maria