Orange County deputies are searching for a gunman who robbed an IHOP and its customers late on Thursday night. The gunman, who terrorized employees and customers made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and remains at large.
Detectives were called to the IHOP at 1345 Lee Road around 11:30 pm on Thursday night were they learned that a black man, in his early 20s, around 5’4″- 5’5″ entered the fast food business armed with a handgun demanding the property from eveyone’s pockets and the restaurant safe.
The suspect herded the customers and employees to the back of the restaurant where he got them to hand over whatever they had in their pockets, all the while brandishing a silver hand gun. The suspect also pointed the gun at Sharon Lavecchia, 50 years, who turned out to be the manager, and demanded money out of the safe. She complied.
Another victim, Darius Johnson, 17, and a customer, told how the suspect pointed a gun at him and asked him to carry the duffel bag that he gave him through the restaurant to collect the belongings of the customers.
Laurece Randolph, 33, another victim and an employee told detectives, she was waiting on tables when the gunman walked into the fast food restaurant and told everyone to get down on the ground and empty their pockets into a black duffel bag that he carried. Randolph said that the suspect wore a black scarf, black t-shirt and black denim jeans.
Another customer, Justin Sumpter, 20, told deputies that the suspect asked his friend Johnson to pick up the duffel back and follow him to the back of the restaurant along with the rest of the customers, repeatedly waving the gun at him and the rest of the employees and customers.
No one was hurt during the ordeal.
Detectives do not have a good description of the suspect. It is known that after the gunman took the money from the safe and the pockets of customers, he left on foot. It is believed that the suspect has a tattoo or birthmark under his right eye.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8423. Callers may remain anonymous and maybe eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
