CAUGHT ON TAPE: Young Girl in Middle of Robbery

CAUGHT ON TAPE: Young Girl in Middle of Robbery

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Story Published: Mar 31, 2009 at 5:15 PM PST

By Audrey Asistio

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THORP -- They look like typical customers. A possible father with his arm over his daughter's shoulders, walking into a gas station at a popular exit near Ellensburg. The man grabbed a couple drinks, approached the clerk, then pulled out a gun. He demanded cash while the little girl stood beside him.

Gas Station manager John Beaty explained, "He said something to the effect of, you know, 'I lost my job and I'm stealing this because I need to help my daughter survive.' It's kind of sad. It's rough times out there."

Workers say the man talked about his financial problems for about 10 minutes, before leaving with a small amount of money. The clerk could not call police until after he was gone.

Kittitas County Undersheriff Clayton Myers said, "Clearly, this child is at risk being in his care, being in his vicinity.

The robbery took place 3 a.m., Tuesday. It's a time the young girl should have been home in bed.

"I can't even fathom somebody bringing a child into that environment. You never know what's going to happen when you pull a gun out. You don't know how someone else is going to react," added Myers. No one was hurt during the robbery.

"I really hope that little girl is safe. It's a scary situation for a girl like that," said Beaty.

Deputies are still trying to figure out whether the man and little girl live in the area, or were just driving by. If you recognized the man or little girl he was with, call the Kittitas County Sheriff's office- (509) 962-7525.

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