By Gus G. Sentementes , Sun reporter|January 21, 2008
Khandaker Shajahan had just closed up his father's pizza shop on Frederick Avenue shortly after midnight yesterday and was sitting in his car when the attack began.
A man opened his door and pistol-whipped him. The robber then took the $360 in his pockets and then fled into the night in Southwest Baltimore.
But police officers were nearby - including a recently promoted deputy major, Anthony Brown, and Sgt. Robert Brown - who, with the help of witnesses, were able to chase down the robber, authorities said. Anthony Brown, a 24-year veteran just promoted to second in command of the Southwestern District, cornered the suspect in a lot, arrested him and found the .38-caliber revolver that police said he had tossed over a fence.
"The police grabbed him," said Shajahan, a 39-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh. "They were very good. They did a very good job."
Charges were pending last night against the suspect, who police described as a 27-year-old from Baltimore.
For Shajahan, the robbery was a shocking introduction to Baltimore. He said he had previously lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., for more than 13 years and had never been a victim of violent crime.
He moved to Baltimore to help his father in the family business - the New Pizza House restaurant in the 3100 block of Frederick Ave. - that opened in August.
After yesterday's attack, Shajahan said he was treated by paramedics for cuts to his head and nose, but he didn't have to go to a hospital. He was back at work yesterday afternoon.
He said he was grateful for the police and paramedics who helped him.
gus.sentementes@baltsun.com
