Masked man holds Philadelphia restaurant owner at gunpoint in front of her kids, steals cash, video shows
Philadelphia police have arrested and charged the man suspected of robbing a restaurant owner in front of three of her children in the city's Olney neighborhood.
On May 29, the Philadelphia Police Department released surveillance video of the armed robbery, which happened around 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Shauna's Restaurant in the 5400 block of North Mascher Street.
A week later, police said Marcus Neto was arrested and charged with robbery, multiple burglary counts, firearms violations and other offenses.
Sashana Williams says her faith has kept her strong throughout something she says no one should experience.
"Just plays back in my head, like my kids were just screaming, 'Please don't hurt my mommy,'" Williams said, "so it's tough on the kids. My son is 10. My daughter just turned 11 and my baby is 3, and he did it right in front of my kids."
Williams has co-owned the restaurant and banquet hall with her oldest daughter for seven years, serving a mix of American and Jamaican cuisine.
The surveillance video shows the owner closing her restaurant with her children present when a man enters the store, points a gun and demands money from the register. The owner and her kids can be seen in the video screaming in fear during the robbery.
"Had a gun in front of me, pointing at me. I said, 'Just take whatever you want, just don't hurt me or hurt my kids,'" Williams said.
The suspect, now identified as Neto, had a tattoo on his right hand and was wearing a blue hooded jacket, ripped dark blue jeans and white New Balance sneakers, police said.
"I can't imagine not only as a law enforcement officer but more so as a parent what was going through her mind," Capt. John Craig said. "That video has some pretty good shots of some distinct clothing pants with a white strip."
As Williams opened her restaurant Thursday, Remond Polche was there to show her support after seeing the video.
"Don't be afraid. Don't give up," Polche said. "I don't live in this neighborhood, but the city is behind her. I hope that's what this transaction will convey."
Williams said she's going to add extra security at her restaurant as she hopes police will capture the gunman.