BETHESDA, Md. — Mikhail Nowlin, an employee at Geste Beer & Wine, has learned to use gratitude as motivation to work after being held at gunpoint by a teen.
"Just waking up every day is a blessing," Nowlin said.
On Wednesday, Nowlin was still grappling with the events that took place on May 12.
"I turn around to tell him what kind we have and that's when he told me to run that sh*t, and he had a gun on me,” Nowlin said.
Nytrell Tyshawn Parrish, 16, stole several vape products and told Nowlin to leave while he emptied the register.
"He tells me to get out,” Nowlin said. “I walk back around this way and I just told him 'you got it' like there ain't nothing I can do if you got a gun on me."
Police said he would come back a day later to do it again. Geste Beer & Wine in Bethesda was the second store on his hit list. The store is located in the 4800 block of Edgemoor Lane.
"Honestly there was nothing going through my mind except that I had to stay calm,” Nowlin said.
“I’ve been there for 14 years but it’s never been this bad,” Geste Beer & Wine Owner, Ajay Aggarwal said.
This left Nowlin and a coworker with a hard decision to make.
"I did quit initially,” Nowlin said. “After the robbery and then I decided to come back because there is nothing I can do about it and I like working here."
When this first happened Aggarwal said he had to work double shifts. He said he has had people come into the store, steal a bottle of wine and run out of the store but he’s never stopped or chased them.
“They grab bottles of wine from my store practically every week but that’s just $10 a bottle, so we don’t care,” Aggarwal told WUSA9.
He said he is more concerned about the safety of his employees and customers.
“We’re not worried about the cash part of it, it’s the gun I worry about,” Aggarwal said.
He said unfortunately his other employee has not returned since the armed robbery.
"The other one is not willing to come back,” Aggarwal said.
Aggarwal says there have been other robberies next door and around the corner from him within the last two months. He also mentioned wanting to see an increase in police presence, even if they just drive by every few hours to help monitor the situations that he often sees.
Twenty-four hours before their store was hit, police said Parrish robbed Tobacco Hub, less than half a mile away. According to investigators, he stole vape products and then came back an hour later and took cash from the register.
The owner isn't ready to talk publicly but tells WUSA9, he might have to close his doors just two months after his grand opening because this has set his business back. He said he already decided to close his shop an hour earlier than their normal hours for safety reasons. He’s concerned about what will happen next for his business on the 7800 block of Old Georgetown Road.
Now Nowlin and others are learning that a few products and $1200 aren't worth the fight.
"Justice is served, or on the way to be served,” Nowlin said. “It's kind of heartbreaking to see somebody that young committing crimes like that."
Parrish has been connected to all four robberies since May 12. He’s been charged with four counts of armed robbery, and four counts of firearm used in a violent crime. He is currently being held without bond.