A man struck a Main Street Deli worker in the back of the head and forced her into a bathroom before robbing the business last week, the Park City Police Department said.
The case was reported at 11:25 p.m. on May 24. Phil Kirk, a police captain, said the restaurant was closed and the worker was cleaning when the assailant somehow entered. Kirk said investigators believe the man used some sort of object in the attack. The worker believed the front door had been locked and was not aware the man had entered, Kirk said.
The man propped something against the door to keep the worker trapped in the bathroom, Kirk said. The worker, a woman, did not have a cell phone. Kirk said she eventually was able to open the door and called the police from the restaurant. Kirk said she was trapped for approximately 30 minutes. The Park City Fire District treated her at the scene for a bump on the head.
Kirk said the assailant stole an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and the backpack of the victim. The victim is a 28-year-old Park City resident, the police said.
The suspect was gone when officers arrived. Kirk said the suspect is a white man approximately five feet, seven inches tall with a stocky build and broad shoulders. He has short brown or black hair that is described as scraggly. The person was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt or a sweat shirt.
The Police Department has identified a person of interest and has spoken to the man. Kirk said the investigation is continuing, though.
Anyone with information may call the Police Department at 615-5500.
The case is a rare episode of a violent robbery in Park City, and Main Street has long been considered a safe place to do business. The police regularly patrol the street in their vehicles at all hours while foot patrols on Main Street are also commonplace.
Rick Ryan, another police captain, said Tuesday morning the police are not close to making an arrest.
“There’s just not enough there yet, evidence-wise, on any particular individual,” Ryan said.
The Main Street Deli is a longstanding restaurant that occupies a high-traffic location on the 500 block of the street. An owner declined to discuss the case. The worker who was attacked was not immediately available for comment.