STOCKTON, Calif. — Officers with the Stockton Police Department are searching for two teenagers accused of assaulting and robbing an elderly woman who had just withdrawn money from an ATM.
The violent, caught-on-camera robbery happened around 7 p.m. Saturday steps away from the busy SF Supermarket at Hammer and West Lanes.
"Two suspects that were maybe in their late teens seemed to have been waiting for her," said Stockton Police Department spokesman Omer Edhah. "And then subsequently attacked her and stole her money."
Family members said the 73-year-old withdrew $500 to give to her grandkids. She was OK, but all of the cash was stolen.
"They're such cowards," said ATM user Annette Sanchez after watching video of the quick attack. "It's disturbing that we can't even come to a supermarket."
Sanchez said she uses the ATM or shops at the neighboring store often and usually feels safe.
"It's surprising, in broad daylight," Sanchez said. "This is such a busy market center. There's so many other businesses here."
A sign posted just a few feet away from the ATM offers some tips on how to stay safe — like not tempting thieves, locking cars and not leaving any valuables in sight — but police said there are even more things that people can be doing.
"Picking the location, somewhere you feel safe. Daylight obviously is better, and if at all possible, utilize an ATM inside a facility, inside a bank or even utilize a teller," Edhah said, adding that it could be a good idea to bring a second set of eyes to ATM trips. "(The attackers) appear to be very young, and you'd expect them to hopefully be doing something better, beneficial in their life as opposed to causing chaos in the community."
Law enforcement is asking anyone who recognizes the teens or has information about the case to contact Stockton Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600.
As police investigate, Sanchez said the violence won't scare her or her community.
"I always look around my surroundings. I want to be familiar with who's around," Sanchez said. "This is my neighborhood, this is my city. This is my town, you know, my community so it doesn't deter me."
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