CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are looking for a man who assaulted and tied up a west Charlotte check cashing employee during an attempted robbery.
The victim’s sister, who didn’t want to reveal her name, told Channel 9 the man surprised the victim Monday morning just as she was getting ready to open the store for the day.
"He was waiting for her when she got in," she said.
The victim’s sister said minutes before Ace Cash Express on Wilkinson Boulevard opened, her sister heard noises inside the building.
"Before she could turn all the way around, he hit her on the face with the gun,” she said. "He told her to get down on the ground, and he zip-tied her hands and her feet."
The employee now has 13 stitches on her face.
Police said the attempted robber was able to get inside by going through the drywall from laundromat next door, which stunned people who do business in the area.
"I know it can be rough around here sometimes, but dang," said resident Jesse Sigler. "That's the first time I've heard of this."
The victim loves working in customer service, but her sister told Channel 9 she's too traumatized to go back.
"She's cut up and bruised and scared. She's looking at everyone like they're a suspect. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't want to leave the house,” the victim’s sister said.
Channel 9 also talked to the victim on the phone, who said she's doing OK and said it could've been worse. She said the man did not get away with any money, because the safe was taking too long to open.
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