As she was checking in for a business trip Tuesday night at the Travelodge Hotel, Debbie Shepersky said a man appearing to wave a gun around came up behind her shouting instructions, then pressed a weapon against her face.<\/p>\n
The robbery Tuesday marks the second such incident for the Mendenhall Valley hotel since September, both following a similar pattern, according to police.<\/p>\n
The Juneau Police Department said the man entered the hotel about 7:53 p.m. \u201cwith his arm extended and hand covered under his sleeve as if he had a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shepersky said when what appeared to be a weapon was pointed at her face, she placed her money and phone on the counter. But the suspect didn\u2019t take it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis stuff was happening in the blink of an eye,\u201d Shepersky said. \u201cIt happens so fast that there was no time to react or prepare or get away.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 911-call to the Juneau Police Department was prompted after Shepersky was seen running into the adjoining Mi Casa restaurant shouting that a man was inside the hotel with a gun.<\/p>\n
Shepersky said she managed to escape the scene to call for help after another guest waiting for a bus tried to intervene. The robber punched the man, then assaulted the hotel attendant behind the counter. Lt. Kris Sell said a medical team was not called to address the injuries.<\/p>\n
After taking an unknown amount of money from the register the suspect fled on foot. Shepersky said another man chased the suspect when he left the hotel, but lost him.<\/p>\n
Officers who arrived at the scene around 7:57 p.m. were not able to find the suspect, described as being 6-feet tall, 250 pounds and wearing all black clothing and a ski mask.<\/p>\n
Shepersky said after the incident, management offered their apologies but the rest of the check-in was \u201cbusiness as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n
A representative from the Travelodge did not return calls from the Empire.<\/p>\n
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police at 586-0600.<\/p>\n