Stranger shields child during armed robbery
Two armed men burst into Amazing Styles and Beauty Supply Shop last week
New surveillance video from an armed robbery last weekend shows how an act of heroism protected a 7-year-old.
Two armed, masked men burst into Amazing Styles and Beauty Supply Shop on Douglas Avenues in Des Moines.
“They ordered my wife, (who) was sitting just across there, and they ask her to go on the floor,” said owner David Ugwuanyi.
Ugwuanyi’s two children were in the store, out of arm’s reach. Victoria Ugwuanyi, 7, came face-to-face with one of the armed men.
“When they were saying stuff, I saw behind them they had a gun in their hand,” Victoria said.
One of the men threatened a female customer with a gun and pushed her to the ground.
“She said, ‘Hey, come down here,’ then she covered me,” Victoria said.
The unidentified customer threw her body over Victoria’s to act as a shield.
“God bless her,” David Ugwuanyi said. “She’s a mother, and I would thank her very well for giving my daughter the courage and protecting her from these wicked guys.”
Nearly one week later, the family still fears being alone in the store at night.
“She’s a lifesaver,” said Mami Ugwuanyi, store owner and David Ugwuanyi’s wife. “I will very appreciate her love for my baby.”
Family members said they would like to thank the customer in person.
Police said the case remains under investigation. The incident marks the third recent armed robbery in the area by two men fitting the same description.
Those with information on the case can call Crimestoppers at 515-223-1400.