ELK GROVE, Calif. — A routine day at a local Baskin Robbins/Togo’s combination store spiraled into chaos on Tuesday when an irate customer assaulted an employee, resulting in injuries that necessitated a hospital visit. The violent outbreak not only left the victim hurt but also significantly shook her colleagues at the Laguna Boulevard establishment.
According to witnesses, the altercation began when the suspect, a female customer who had just ordered a sandwich, began yelling at a male employee. She then pursued him into a restricted area of the shop where she encountered another employee, Emily Ruiz. The attacker physically assaulted Ruiz, hitting her face and slamming her into a door. As Ruiz attempted to escape, she was struck again by the assailant wielding a backpack.
In the aftermath, Ruiz described her state of shock and the subsequent pain that led her directly to the hospital instead of home. “When she hit me, my initial reaction was disbelief,” Ruiz recounted. “I tried to reach out for help, but she hit me again. I felt immense pain starting in my head.” Medical examination revealed Ruiz suffered from significant neck and shoulder injuries, a scratched face, and required medication for a head contusion.
Stephany Gallegos, a co-worker, witnessed the entire incident. She noted that Ruiz attempted to bar the woman from the employees’ area, which precipitated the physical confrontation. “It was terrifying to see that level of violence unfold over something as simple as access to an off-limits area,” Gallegos said.
The severity of the incident was a first for the store, according to Michelle Narayan, the store manager who has been with the establishment for three decades. “This level of aggression is unprecedented in our experience,” Narayan expressed. She plans to enhance security at the store by installing additional locks and another panic button to better protect employees.
Security footage captured much of the incident, and with the help of an employee who recorded the latter part of the assault, police are conducting an investigation. They are working on identifying the suspect, who fled the scene and had not been arrested by Wednesday evening.
This violent encounter has raised concerns among the staff about the rising trend of aggressive behavior by customers. “We’ve seen more people agitated lately, but nothing like this. It’s unsettling,” one employee remarked. Gallegos expressed her hopes that Ruiz can press charges, emphasizing that the violence she suffered was inexcusable.
The Elk Grove Police Department is actively seeking any additional information from the public regarding the incident as they continue to look for the assailant.
In the wake of this event, the community and the workers at the Baskin Robbins/Togo’s store are reminded of the unforeseen dangers service workers can face and the importance of preparedness and safety measures in customer-facing businesses.