LOS ANGELES—An investigation was underway Friday after a woman was robbed near MacArthur Park and ran for help inside Langer’s Deli, the iconic restaurant whose owner has threatened to close due to safety issues in the area.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the victim was attending a swap meet Thursday when a male suspect attacked her and grabbed her necklace.
The robbery occurred around 2:10 p.m. near Bonita’s swap meet on the 700 block of South Alvarado Street, by the Westlake/MacArthur Park metro station.
The woman struggled with the suspect after he grabbed her necklace but backed off when she saw he had a gun, LAPD Media Relations told City News Service.
The suspect, wearing a gray hoodie and pants, fled northbound on Alvarado Street, police said.
An Instagram user posted a video of a crowd in the store, saying, “While we were waiting in line @langersdeli, a woman was assaulted and robbed in front of us.”
The restaurant’s Instagram account reposted the story.
The owner, Norm Langer, has raised concerns about safety around the area and told the Los Angeles Times last week he was considering closing shop.
Following his comments, Mayor Karen Bass visited the deli on Tuesday to discuss potential solutions with the owner.
