Workers at an Oakland pizza shop that’s in danger of shutting down after being robbed four times this year took matters into their own hands last week, fighting off the most recent crook who stormed in, according to a report.
Cybelle’s Pizza employees can be seen on security footage trying to fend off a robber with a hammer around 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, KGO reported.
After appearing to scare the thief off, he quickly returns and reaches over the counter for the register, the clip obtained by Fox LA shows. A desperate cook suddenly hurls a recycling bin at him from before he fled.
“They tried to steal the register…my employees were very, very brave…I told them don’t do that…but they had to defend themselves,” owner Elizabeth Sanchez told the outlet.
The robber was arrested soon after.
Friday’s robbery was the fourth such incident in just over a month.
Sanchez said she’s had trouble retaining employees as a result of the surging crime in the area, which she says is also keeping customers away.
She and her husband, who both work seven days a week, are considering closing down their Oakland restaurant. They would keep their other location in San Francisco, she said.
“Sales are down because nobody wants to come out, they’re scared for their safety,” Sanchez told KGO. “We’ve seen a drop in sales and we’re worse than during the pandemic.”
Mayor Sheng Thao’s office said it has been working with businesses in the area to beef up security.
“Sheng Thao and [Deputy Chief Angelica Mendoza] said they’re working on it so they can have a budget for the Diamond district and Laurel district so they can make more security seven days a week,” says Sanchez.
She said her restaurant is one of several small businesses in the area hurting from the crime surge.
“All of the business owners need help. In and out, Dennys, those are big chains, but what about us, small business? Where are we at? For me, as an immigrant this was the American dream. But now, where is it?” Sanchez asked.
The mayor’s office said two small businesses were recently granted $20,000 for repairs as part of its Facade and Tenant Improvement Program and will work with Cybelle’s on something similar.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that he would be sending 120 California Highway Patrol officers to Oakland to help fight crime.
