Employees at Cybelle's Pizza in Oakland, California, fought off a robber on Friday. The assailant tried to jump over the counter to steal.
"It's just unbelievable. They have the courage to do this. They have to fight against them," owner Elizabeth Sanchez told KTVU. The incident happened around 10:30 pm.
CCTV footage captured an employee using a hammer to deter the robber. Another employee threw a recycling bin at the fleeing intruder.
This marks the fourth robbery at the store since January. "They were using whatever they had on hand," Sanchez said about her employees' defense.
"As an immigrant, as a Mexican, this is my American dream," Sanchez expressed her distress. "But where is it going? I believe it's going to the trash now."
Oakland City Council member Janani Ramachandran empathizes with taking action. "We need more hours, more coverage," she stated, emphasizing the need for city support.
Crime in Oakland has prompted major businesses like Blue Shield, Clorox, and Kaiser Permanente to enhance security. In-N-Out has closed its Oakland location due to crime.
"We are grateful for the local community," said In-N-Out COO Denny Warnick. Safety concerns forced the closure, despite the location's profitability.