Lakewood Jack-in-the-Box employee hit with tire iron in robbery

LAKEWOOD — An employee of a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant in Lakewood was struck on the head with a tire iron Monday during a robbery, authorities said.

Only the drive-through window of the restaurant at 11501 Carson St. was open about 2 a.m. when the man first tried to get into the drive-through, then used the tire iron to smash a door and enter the restaurant, said Lt. Eric Castano of the Lakewood sheriff’s station.

Two employees were inside the restaurant, and one ran out to call 911, Castano said. The suspect assaulted the other worker and took the cash drawer.

The worker suffered a gash on his head and was taken to a hospital for treatment, the lieutenant said.

The suspect was described as a white man, about 30 years old. He fled the restaurant on foot, Castano said. Investigators will look at surveillance video and dust for fingerprints in hopes of catching the suspect, he said.