Woman's 1st day at work ends with robber nearly stabbing her over cupcakes

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Authorities need help searching for a man accused of stealing a bag of cupcakes after punching a southwest Houston store clerk in the face.

According to the Houston Police Department, a man went inside a convenience store at the 6000 block of Almeda Road, near Hermann Park, at about 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.

Officials said the man initially acted like a customer and walked around the store before pulling out a knife.

Surveillance video shows the man jumping over the counter and punching a woman, knocking her to the floor.

That employee spoke to ABC13 on Thursday night. Alejandra Almaguer says it was her first day at her new job. She felt helpless and terrified.

"With this hand, he has his blade and is trying to [gesturing] go like that to me, but I'm holding on to his hand...He tried to go for the neck," Almaguer said. "Since I was holding on to his arm, he didn't get to stab me. So I was holding on to his arm, and he starts punching me."

HPD said the man then attempted to stab her multiple times, but she was able to keep him from doing so by holding onto his arm.

That's when a customer walked into the store, saw what was happening, and told the man to stop while calling the police.

The man stopped assaulting the clerk, grabbed the bag of cupcakes, and fled the store, HPD said.

"While I'm in the ambulance, that's when I break. And I'm like, 'I could've died. Something could've happened to me," Almaguer said.

She hopes the man is found so he doesn't harm anyone else. She also quit her job after the assault.

Police describe the suspect as a Black, dark-skinned man, about 5 feet 10 inches with curly hair, who wore a maroon shirt and black sweatpants.

If you have any information related to this investigation, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston directly. Information leading to the charging and/or arrest of any felony suspects may result in a cash payment of up to $5,000.

Tipsters must contact Crime Stoppers directly to remain anonymous and to be considered for a cash payment by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitting an online tip at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.

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