An employee of an AT&T store located at 835 Fourth St. was unlocking the front door of the business at around 7:30 a.m. when she was grabbed by a suspect and dragged inside, according to San Rafael police.
A second suspect, simulating a weapon, entered the store with duffle bags and ordered the employee to open a store safe, and the two suspects stole money and cell phones. One of the robbers was apparently using a Bluetooth device to communicate with a third suspect in the driver's seat of getaway van outside.
The two suspects apparently did not realize that the employee had been on the phone with a friend when she was attacked. Her friend heard the robbery taking place and called police.
Officers arrived when one of the suspects was leaving the store and that suspect was detained at gunpoint, according to police.
The van driver tried to drive off and the third suspect left the store and tried to escape on foot. All three were taken into custody.
No one was injured during the robbery.
Police searched the area and reported finding a duffle bag full of money in a garbage can. A handgun was also found in a garbage can, according to police.
The three suspects were booked for robbery, kidnapping, false imprisonment, burglary and conspiracy.
