Woodland Check Cashing Store Employee Carjacked, Robbed Of $20K

WOODLAND (CBS13) - A check cashing employee was the target of a terrifying crime after being carjacked and robbed of $20,000; and it appears that the armed robbers knew exactly what they were going to get.

The employee at Woodland's Check Max Plus says she's too traumatized by what took place last week that she can't talk about it.

"I don't think that this shopping center is really safe," salon owner Carmen Herrera said.

Police say at closing time the employee was on her way to make a deposit. As she drove through a nearby alley, a man was slowly walking in front of her car, not letting her pass.

Then a second man appeared from behind a wall and knocked on her car window with a gun. He forced her out of her car, took her purse, the money and the car.

Both suspects vanished with the cash.

"Lately, it's been worse and worse," said Herrera.

Store owners in the Purity Plaza strip mall say there's always suspicious activity going on in the area.

"(The incident has) got us nervous over here too after that," business owner Zade Joiner.

The check cashing store has now hired armed security guards to protect the employees.

"The clerks were worried for their safety," said Serge Chernyavskry. "That's why we're here."

Since the incident, the employee has not yet returned to work. She tells CBS13 that her car has been recovered, but the suspects are still on the run.

Police are looking at possible video from stores nearby to see if they can help in the investigation.