Employees on Business Loop 70E on high alert after rash of robberies
Employees on the Business Loop are going to extra lengths to protect themselves and their businesses after a rash of robberies in central Columbia.
“We have lots of cameras and try to leave in pairs and we make sure at least two people are here all the time,” said Amber Pilchner, an employee at Payday and Car Title Loans.
Employees at several other businesses on Business Loop 70E use similar tactics to keep themselves safe.
“Are we nervous? Yeah. This guy robs fruit stands in the middle of the day, they’re not going to be afraid to come in anywhere in broad daylight,” Connie Furlong, at Tiger Town Treasures claimed.
Furlong and her co-workers are now investing in wasp spray in case they’re next in the line of robberies.
She said, “If he came in here, I’d try the wasp spray first, but if he got close I’d use physical force. I’m not afraid to fight.”
But all employees agreed no amount of money stolen was worth their lives.
“If he came in here, we’re not going to put up a fight because we all have families and they’re more important than a couple hundred dollars,” Pilchner said.