Surveillance video shows armed robbery at Tacoma convenience store

TACOMA, Wash. – A Tacoma convenience store owner is still in shock after her business was robbed by gun on Tuesday night.

Her husband and store co-owner, Cheang Yann, spoke to KING 5 and said they’ve been running their shop for over 30 years in the same neighborhood and they couldn’t believe something like this happened. with me.

The couple first opened their doors in 1991, ten years after coming to the United States from Cambodia. They chose the corner of North 26th Street and North Stevens Street.

It’s a moment Yann is proud of, but he says he’s seen the neighborhood change over the past few years.

“I never thought I had to put bars on a window or door, never,” says Yann.

Surveillance video from Tuesday night shows a man walking up to the front counter of the property where Yann’s wife, Lakhena Pon, is working.

Soon after, he pulled out his gun, asking Pon to empty the register. Pon gave the money, and the robber took the bills, thanked her, then left.

“She was scared, she was really scared and is still in shock. This has never happened to her before, this is the first time. We never thought it would happen here.” Yann said.

Tacoma police say the number of robberies has increased by 45% between 2021 and 2022, though not specifically targeting convenience stores.

Investigators have yet to identify a suspect, but Yann hopes that will change soon.

“I hope they catch this guy to stop him from doing this and have to get rid of them somehow so he doesn’t come back to do this again and again, they need to change the system somehow to make sure this doesn’t happen.” doesn’t happen anymore,” he said.

Yann went on to say that despite what happened, he still loves the neighborhood and is proud of the business he and his wife built together, and they have no plans to go anywhere.

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