Woman describes ordeal of being robbed at doctor’s office

By Kyle B. Hansen

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Metro Police are investigating an armed robbery at a doctor’s office Friday that left at least one victim traumatized.

Two men and a woman robbed the office at 620 Twain Ave., near Swenson Street, police said. At least one of the suspects entered the back part of the office by asking to use the bathroom, police said.

One of the suspects then pulled out a gun and announced it was a robbery, taking everything from cash register and valuables from 15 people, including both office staff and patients, officials said.

Julia Barnett was one of the patients waiting to see the doctor when the robbery happened. Four days later, she said she has had a difficult time concentrating and has not been able to sleep.

“I just can’t get his face out of my head,” the Henderson resident said of one of the robbers. “It was so scary.”

Barnett said the robbers told everyone to put their valuables in the center of the room, then get on the floor and not look up. She got down, but didn’t put her purse out with the other valuables.

“He didn’t say purses and I was in a state of shock,” she said.

One of the robbers came up to her, asked her about the purse, grabbed her and put a gun to her head, she said. He let her go after she threw her purse on the pile.

The robbers also threatened to shoot a 4-year-old boy who was crying, she said.

The three suspects loaded all the valuables into one victim’s purse and ran out, Barnett said.

“I think maybe I’ll get some relief once they catch them, since I am a nervous wreck,” she said.

Metro police said they are still investigating and have not made any arrests.