Man Locked 7-11 Employee In Store, Then Beat Her: Falls Twp. PD

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —A man is in custody after locking a woman inside a store, dragging her around, and then beating her Saturday night, police said.

Rafael Perez, 46, who has no known address, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, harassment, and criminal mischief with intentional damage.

Falls Township Police were dispatched at 10:17 p.m. Saturday to a robbery in progress at the 7-Eleven convenience store at 300 Trenton Rd. in Fairless Hills.

Police said they met the victim, who was working in the service area of the convenience store. the employee working the desk.

The woman —speaking through the store owner who translated —said Perez came into the store and was asking for help with a case of water.

The employee said she helped Perez with the water and then he came back into the store and locked her inside the store with him, Police Officer Matthew Shannon said in a court affidavit.

He then started to hit her with the handle of a mop and punch her numerous times.

Police said the victim is of slender build, about 5'3", and under 110 pounds. Perez was jabbing her in the stomach with the end of the mop pole and then hit her in the head with the mop bucket, court records state.

Police then watched the video from inside and saw Perez drag her around the store before taking her to the back where he beat her.

The victim was crying, shaking, and had injuries throughout her face, police said.

Perez walked back on the scene as officers were in the store investigating the incident and he was taken into custody. He was identified by the victim, and witnesses who were on the scene.

There was damage throughout the store and the owner estimated it to be more than $500 at this point, police said.