Trabuco Store Owner Beaten and Robbed

The 52-year-old owner of The Country Store in Trabuco Canyon was bound, beaten and robbed of $1,300 early Wednesday by a man who entered his parked camper as he slept, authorities said.

Glen (Gene) Taylor, who has operated the landmark store for more than a dozen years, sustained head injuries and was treated and released from Saddleback Community Hospital, an emergency room nurse said.

According to Sheriff’s Lt. Dick Olson, Taylor had been sleeping in his camper in front of the store on Trabuco Oaks Drive and had the cash inside the camper, intending to pay for a load of beer that was to arrive Wednesday morning.

Heard Door Open

Taylor told deputies that he was awakened shortly before 5 a.m., when he heard the side door of his camper open and someone step inside. As he turned to look at the intruder, Taylor said he was struck over the head with an unknown object. He tried to kick the intruder and was struck again, Olson said.

The burglar asked the store owner if he had any money as he tied his hands with a battery charger cable. Then he ransacked the camper and, before leaving, hit Taylor again, Olson said. Taylor managed to get out of the camper and a resident from a neighboring home spotted him and untied his hands. The store owner suffered cuts over his eye and on his head, Olson said.