Restaurant employee held at knifepoint during early-morning robbery in Loop

CHICAGO — Authorities are searching for the people involved in a violent robbery at a restaurant in the Loop early Sunday morning.

Chicago police say an employee at Lou Malnati’s Pizza in the 800 block of South State Street was exiting the back door of the restaurant just before 2 a.m. when two people, a male and a female whose ages are unknown, approached with a handgun.

Offices say the employee attempted to run back into the restaurant, but one of the offenders grabbed him and put a knife to his throat before entering the business.

According to police, once inside, the female offender held a second employee at gunpoint and demanded money from the safe.

The employees complied with the demands and the robbers then fled the scene.

Officers say one of the victims was taken to the hospital after falling and hitting his head during the incident.

No arrests have been in connection with the robbery and authorities say an investigation is now underway.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com . Tips can be filed anonymously.

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