Woman attacked in Fresno family-owned store

FRESNO – Police are investigating a robbery and sexual assault that took place just before 11:30 Tuesday morning at a store in southwest Fresno.

The family owned store, Shabazz Shoes, Clothing and More, is located at Martin Luther King Boulevard and California Avenue. The store is owned by Ali Shabazz and has been in operation for around four years. This was the store’s first encounter with crime.

According to police, a woman working at the store on Tuesday morning was robbed and assaulted. Police said there were at least two people were involved in the robbery.

“Upon arrival, we found a single victim of a robbery who had been injured during an assault,” said Lt. Burke Farrah with the Fresno Police Department.

Police are releasing few other details. However, family members of the victim have told the press that two men wearing masks and gloves entered the store. They say that after robbing the store, at least one of the men beat and raped the victim.

Police detectives taped off the area while they investigated the incident. Farrah said detectives were looking for video sources and “physical evidence that might help us with the investigation.”

Farrah also said that police are looking for witnesses who may have seen activity in or around the business. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is urged to call the Fresno Police Department.

The victim was transported to Community Regional Medical Center to be treated for her injuries, which were not considered life threatening.

In 2011, seven rapes were reported in southwest Fresno, and 23 were reported in 2010.

Read More:

KSEE24News: Woman Robbed & Assaulted at Clothing Store in Fresno

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CBS47tv: Community on Edge after Rape and Robbery