EDGEWATER — A hatchet-wielding man robbed an Edgewater Papa John's Pizza Thursday night — and employees and bystanders fought back, trying to hold him for police, witnesses said.
"It happened fast," said Andy Lopez, 23, the pizzeria's general manager.
Lopez said he was outside, standing on the sidewalk, when an intoxicated-looking man in his 30s entered the restaurant, at 5359 N. Broadway.
Seconds later, he heard his three employees inside panic as the man smashed open the register with the 2-foot-long hatchet and took about $250, Lopez said.
But as the robber tried to run out the front door, Lopez and a bystander held it closed from the outside.
The robber got away, however, escaping through the back door just before police arrived, he said.
Lopez said he tried to stop him at the back door, but he "threatened to use [the hatchet] on me."
Police confirmed the 8 p.m. Thursday holdup at the restaurant, although a spokeswoman described the weapon as an ax.
The man entered "the business and demanded money from an employee while holding an ax in his hand," said Officer Ana Pacheco, a Chicago Police Department spokeswoman.
There were no injuries. A witness posted an account on Everyblock on Thursday, describing the suspect as white, standing about 6-foot-4, with a medium build. He wore a black T-shirt and brown cargo shorts.
"Police were there in minutes, and they just missed him running away," the poster, identified as "MG," wrote. "Police have been all over the streets/alleys looking for him. Am so thankful all the workers are physically okay."
Lopez said he and his staff was shaken up but happy no one was hurt.
"I'm not going to let this affect me," he said.
Police are investigating, Pacheco said.
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