Police: Robbers tied up restaurant patrons, pistol-whipped worker
Police in Santa Ana have released photos of two armed men who they say pistol-whipped an employee at Cafe La Me before using zip ties to bind patrons and rob the restaurant.
Police say the first suspect walked into the restaurant Sunday morning armed with a semi-automatic handgun and first pistol-whipped an employee, KTLA reported. Surveillance video then showed the second suspect enter carrying plastic zip ties that he used to bind the victims.
After cleaning out the cash register, both men fled in a green- or gray-colored 1997 Toyota Sienna van with no front license plate, police said.
The men were described as between 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall with stocky builds.
Police were investigating whether the restaurant robbery was connected to two other incidents in Garden Grove where the gunmen used similar tactics.
Anyone with information on the suspects may call Santa Ana police at (714) 245-8665.
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