Subway Employee Claims She Was Suspended after Defending Herself during Store Robbery

In an incident between a Subway employee and a robber, the employee managed to defend the store. The assailant only got away with her purse. However, her employer has now suspended her.

In Rockford, Illinois, a Subway restaurant employee claims she was suspended after an outrageous clip of her embroiled in a fight with a robber gained traction online. The viral video now has millions of views and thousands of comments.

In September, Araceli Sotelo prevented an attempted robbery, and the leaked footage has everyone talking. The unidentified robber engaged the employee behind the sandwich counter.

THE HEATED ALTERCATION

The two of them fought in the employee-only section of the store throughout the clip until the assailant dropped his gun. Amid screaming, the employee acted quickly and grabbed the weapon.

The robber held the employee's handbag while trying to retrieve the gun from her. Since the incident occurred, Sotelo shared the video on TikTok and added a text overlay that reads: "A man came into my job and tried to rob me."

SUSPENDED FROM HER JOB

Viewers were quick to respond, and many called the employee brave for the way she reacted. People were shocked to find out that she was purportedly suspended from her job.

A spokesperson for Subway shared the following statement:

"We are deeply concerned about the recent incident ... The restaurant owner and management are fully cooperating with the police investigation, and we request patience until that process is complete."

MOTHER STARTS A CROWDFUNDING PAGE

Sotelo’s mother, Sylvia Oviedo, started a fundraiser via a crowdfunding website to assist her daughter through this difficult time. After the robbery, she claimed that Sotelo had been left without her cards and a broken phone.

She added that some of the money raised will go toward the "attorney fees and lost wages." Netizens have heeded the call, and the page has already raised over $15,000.

THE ONLINE REACTION

The online community also had a lot to say about the lack of safety in the store and the dangers employees face. One user wrote: "@Subway when your own employees can't be safe in their own work."

Another person said: "This is why they aren't supposed to only have one person working at one time. I'm so sorry this happened to you." Users also commended the employee for her actions.

APPLAUDING THE WORKER

"The community supports you, girl," said one netizen. An online community member added: "Why is no one admiring her courage? I got chills watching her fight for her life. I hope you get compensated for your pain and suffering."

It is unclear whether the employee was reinstated at her job or if the store reimbursed her for the damages. With the $15,000 from her crowdfunding page, it is believed that Sotelo will seek adequate legal action for her suspension.