Armed robbery at Ryley: Three arrested including a local – employee stayed calm and heroic

A 22 year old Ryley man, a 20 year old man, and a youth have been taken into custody and charged in connection with an armed robbery Monday evening, Sept. 29, at Ryley Cold Beer and Spirits on Main Street, Ryley.

A knapsack full of liquor and roughly $500 cash was stolen, when three males charged into the liquor store at 8:30 p.m. on a dark Monday evening.

Employee Harinder Handal and friend Cecilia Esteban were behind the counter when the shocking event occurred. A tall thin man with a knapsack went for the liquor while a medium sized stocky man pointed a shotgun at the pair directly in front of the counter. The third man, medium in size and build, stood by the door pointing a large knife aggressively at Handal, who began backing up to protect a terrified Esteban.

“She was yelling, ‘Oh my gawd Harry.’ I didn’t want to provoke the guy with the knife and wanted to protect my friend.”

For more see the Oct. 7/14 Mercury