Man With Butcher Knife Robs Wienerschnitzel on Artesia-Cerritos Border

A search is under way for a knife-wielding man who robbed the  restaurant in Artesia late Wednesday night and fled with at least $200 in cash, according to a sheriff's lieutenant.

The robbery at the fast food establishment, located at 11615 South St. along the Artesia-Cerritos border, took place on Wednesday, Aug. 22 just before 10 p.m., said Lt. Joe Nicassio of the Lakewood Sheriff's Station.

Nicassio said the restaurant's employees were gathered in the back  and preparing to shut down the dining area for the evening, when one of the employees came out to the front and saw the suspect taking money out of the cash register near the drive-thru window.

The bandit, who was "armed with a butcher knife," fled out the front door with $200 to $300 in cash, the lieutenant said. No one was hurt during the robbery.

The suspect is described as a black man in the 20s who was wearing dark clothing and a black bandana over part of his face, Nicassio said. 

Wienerschnitzel, which has a dining area that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and drive-thru open until midnight, closed shop early that night as a result of the robbery. 

"I came by late Wednesday evening and the workers motioned to me they were closed," Artesia resident Melissa R. told Patch. "They said they were robbed that night and closed early."

Anyone with information on the holdup or the suspect is asked to call the Lakewood Sheriff's Station at (562) 623-3500.