Cameras capture Lawrence store robbery

LAWRENCE, Mass. (WHDH) -- A clerk was attacked at a Lawrence convenience store late Sunday night. Cameras captured two masked men with a knife stealing money and cigarettes and then pepper spraying the clerk.

Elaine, the lone clerk on duty, said she immediately complied with the robbers when they entered the store.

She opened the cash register and let the robbers help themselves to money and cigarettes.

“They said ‘Let’s go, let’s go! open up the register,’” said Elaine.

On their way out, the robbers sprayed Elaine in the face with pepper spray.

“I was crying, shaking…I couldn’t see anything,” said Elaine.

Elaine said she was not only hurt, but stunned that the robbers attacked her after she’d given them what she wanted. She said she had no intention of fighting back, especially when she saw the knife.

“First time in my life I’m like, ‘Oh my God, really going to do this to me on your way out?’” said Elaine. “It was horrible. I think there was no need for that.”

Chief John Romero of the Lawrence police department said Elaine did exactly what she was supposed to do.

“To commit a robbery -- an armed robbery to begin with -- you’re a bad person. To then inflict the pain and discomfort to somebody who’s offering no resistance, you’re just a cruel, heartless criminal,” said Romero.

Elaine plans to keep working.

“I’m not going to let them defeat me,” said Elaine.

Police are looking for any information on the suspects. If you have any, contact Lawrence police at 978-794-5900.