A Tacoma business owner shares his experience after being robbed at a convenience store. The incident took place at the 76 Food Mart on the corner of 26th Street and Stevens Street.
Lakhena Pon said she was at work Tuesday night when a man came to the cashier to pay for her soda. But instead of taking a wallet out of his pocket, he took out a gun.
The suspect said, “Give me money. Give me money. Give me money.”
Mr. Pong got scared, but immediately took out the cash register.
“I pray in my heart,” Pong says. “God, please help me.”
The man took the money from the register before thanking Pong on his way out the door.
“At least he says thank you! He takes all my money, but at least he says thank you,” Pong said.
The Tacoma Police Department is investigating the robbery, and Crimestoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Pong told Kilo 7 that she fears the suspect will return, but will return to work the next day. is only two people. They both work 7 days a week.
Customers say Pons and its food mart are staples of the community and deserve to feel safe.
“They were always very friendly and helpful to everyone,” says longtime customer Daryl Hamlin. “It’s horrible for the whole neighborhood when someone walks in with a gun and robs and threatens. This is a statement about where crime has gone in Tacoma.”
Pong said it was the first time in 31 years that a food mart had been robbed. She hopes the suspect will be arrested soon.
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