Box Cutter Held to the Throat of Jack in the Box Cook During Armed Robbery

A man armed with a box cutter injured a cook early Thursday while robbing the Jack in the Box at 6140 Lake Murray Blvd., police report. At one point, the robber also held the cutter to the cook’s throat.

The armed robbery was reported about 1:45 a.m., according to La Mesa police.
  
The restaurant's indoor dining area was closed, but its drive-through was open and a male cook and female cashier were working at the time, police said.
  
The robber scaled a wall at the rear of the business to get into an enclosed breezeway area that led into the restaurant at the western end of Dallas Street, police said, noting that a struggle ensued between the cook and the robber, prompting the cashier to come out to investigate.
  
The cook told the cashier to comply with the robber's demand for cash and she did, police said.
  
The cook was slightly injured, suffering several minor cuts to both his hands, police said. The injuries were determined to be minor by paramedics and he declined further medical treatment other than first aid.  The cash loss is undetermined, police said.
  
The robber fled northbound into the San Carlos area of San Diego a block away, police said.
  
Police said the robber is Hispanic, in his mid-20s and about 5 feet 8.

He was last seen wearing a dark sweater and black pants. He spoke mostly Spanish during the robbery, police said.
  
Anyone with information about the robbery was urged to call La Mesa police at 619-667-1400 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

City News Service contributed to this report.