ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Police are crediting Subway employees for the apprehension of a man attempting to rob the Subway on Northern Lights Boulevard in Anchorage.
The suspect, Alvin L. Archa, Jr., 48, walked into the sandwich shop shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday morning and allegedly demanded money from the sandwich artists at the counter, telling them he had a gun.
Two employees that were in the back saw what was happening and decided to step in, according to APD spokesperson Lt. Dave Parker. The employees struggled with the suspect, who turned out not to be armed, and were able to hold him until police arrived.
No injuries were reported.
Archa has been charged with Robbery 1st Degree, with bail set at $25,000. He is also in violation of his probation.
The attempted robbery comes on the heels of two violent robberies at Subways in Anchorage.
The first robbery happened on August 3rd, at the same location as Tuesday's incident. Police say an armed robber came into the building demanding money, and even though the employee complied, the suspect pistol-whipped him on the head.
The second happened exactly a month later on September 3rd. Anchorage police say an employee at an East Anchorage Subway shop was pistol-whipped by a suspect with a similar description to the first.
Police described the suspect of that robbery as a dark-skinned male, possibly black, with an average build. Police say he was wearing a cobalt blue ski jacket with grey stripes on the sides and matching ski pants, along with a ski mask, goggles and gloves.
A few weeks later, APD held a robbery prevention training for Subway employees and managers.
