Tommy Chen has a pretty harrowing story to tell after his family’s store was targeted by robbers twice this month.
Two employees were injured during an armed robbery at a liquor store in West Hartford over the weekend and police are asking the public for help identifying the suspects.
Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at City Line Liquor on Prospect Avenue on Saturday around 7:20 p.m.
According to police, two men entered the store and ordered money from the cash register at gunpoint. A black pistol was reportedly displayed by one of the suspects.
During the robbery, authorities said an employee was pepper sprayed and a second employee was punched in the face. The employees' injuries from the incident are described as minor.
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Investigators describe one suspect as a man wearing black pants, a black jacket, black shoes and a black mask. The other suspect is described as a man wearing blue jeans, a blue hooded sweatshirt, black shoes and a blue mask.
After the incident, police said the men fled with the money. It's unclear how much money was taken.
The men were reportedly seen leaving the area in a white four-door sedan with dark-colored wheels and tinted windows.
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Tommy Chen has a pretty harrowing story to tell after his family's store was targeted by robbers twice this month.
"I knew for sure it was a real gun but thankfully, they didn't shoot," Chen said.
Surveillance cameras captured the suspects approaching Chen and his dad.
"He wrestled with my dad a little bit. And then eventually pepper sprayed my dad. So my dad couldn't see. And after he pepper sprayed my dad, he ran behind the counter. And he tried to open register and I kind of tried to stop them, like try to hold them back but he punched me and unfortunately knocked off my glasses I couldn't see," Chen said.
Chen said after they left empty-handed the first time, he didn't think they would be bold enough to return. At this point, police said the investigations into both crimes are ongoing and they cannot confirm if they are related.
Both Chen and his father are doing better but are a little sore.
“So a lot of people they they feel sorry for me and feel bad that this has happened because it's, for the most part, some nice area most most customers are friendly," Chen said.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Hartford Police Department at (860) 523-5203. Tips can also be submitted to the WHPD tip line at (860) 570-8969 or by email at whpdtips@westhartfordct.gov.
