Brockton Store Owner Swings Club at Would-Be Armed Robber

Maria Alves of Celina’s Market on North Main Street said it’s not the first time her North Main Street store has been targeted.

A Brockton store owner said she was unharmed after fighting off a would-be armed robber with a wooden club Wednesday afternoon.

Maria Alves of Celina’s Market on North Main Street said a man wearing a hoodie came into the business pretending to be a customer, but suddenly produced a knife and demanded cash.

"He said, ‘give me all the money you have in the cash register,’" Alves told necn.

Alves said she grabbed a large club and swung it threateningly at the suspect, who fled on foot.

“He said, ‘I don’t want to get in trouble,’” Alves said.

He didn’t get any cash, but Alves said she’s still upset about the situation. She says her family works hard in the store she named after her late daughter.

She says police responded to the scene and told her if someone pulls a gun on her, not to fight back. Brockton police did not return requests for comment Thursday.

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