Can You Relate?

Having worked in both food service and as a teller, I know the fear that comes when someone walks in and you wonder, even if for a split second, are they going to rob the place?

For example, when I was working at Quizno's one night, my fellow co-worker was in the back washing dishes and I was at the counter. I heard the door open and looked up to see a person in a gorilla costume walk in - and start right towards me. My heart sank, but thankfully I didn't die that day (otherwise, you'd be reading the words of a ghost! Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo!). The gorilla also had some balloons and a pizza with the words "Yes" written on it with banana peppers. I was being answered to a dance. Phew! I told you that people do creative things to accept invitations for dances! My co-worker and I laughed about it and then I changed my pants and went back to work.

I never actually had to deal with a robbery, but I'd like to think that if anything ever did happen that I would be able to respond with the bravery, courage and brainpower that employees of a Pizza Patron in Denton, Texas did.

Stephanie Martinez and Rudy Sandoval were working one night when a man came in dressed in a wig and sunglasses. He appeared to be holding a gun. And since it was July, both Stephanie and Rudy figured it had nothing to do with a school dance.

Stephanie was scared and started to get the money out of the cash drawer, and the robber even slapped Rudy around to get him to obey, but Rudy wasn't having any of it. He attacked the would-be robber and started punching him! And for a 17-year-old, he packed quite a punch. He knocked off the robber's glasses, he knocked off his wig and he knocked out the suspect. As the unmasked assailant slumped to the floor, Rudy wanted to keep beating him, but Stephanie held him back. A merciful act, you say? Kind of.

Stephanie was surprised to see that the dazed suspect was her father, Benjamin Ramirez.

But wait, there's more.

Dad managed to escape and was able to get to his getaway car where Stephanie's mother (Sonia Palacios) AND husband (Jose Miguel Martinez) were waiting to take him away. Witnesses followed the pickup truck the suspect was driving and all three were arrested. Denton police say that they don't believe Stephanie knew her family was planning the robbery. But you can judge that for yourself.

So apparently this was the Family Home Evening activity for the Martinez family and, sad for them, Benjamin did not manage to get the treat.