An Illinois restaurant owner is thanking God for sparing his life after a terrifying armed robbery inside his family business left him shaken but alive.

The owner of Arepa Express in suburban Chicago said he silently cried out to God during the frightening encounter, believing he was about to be shot.

“I thought he was going to shoot me,” the Venezuelan immigrant told Fox 32 Chicago. “When someone pulls out a gun, it’s because they’re going to use it. I thought, ‘God help me.'” (FOX 32 Chicago)

The robbery happened on May 12 while customers were dining inside the restaurant, which specializes in authentic Venezuelan cuisine. Surveillance video captured the suspect entering the business multiple times before eventually pulling out a handgun and threatening the owner.

According to the restaurant owner, the suspect first came in posing as a customer. After ordering food and leaving, he returned several times asking to use the restroom. On the third visit, the situation suddenly escalated.

“After the third time, he returns. He takes out his gun and points it at me and threatened to kill me. I don’t wish that experience on anybody,” the owner said. (FOX 32 Chicago)

The suspect allegedly stole nearly $10,000 worth of jewelry, including an 18-karat Gucci chain, a bracelet, and the owner’s law school graduation ring from Venezuela — a deeply sentimental gift from his parents.

“He told me to get on the floor, so I did,” the owner recalled. “After a few seconds, a customer came over to help me get up and tell me that he was gone.” (FOX 32 Chicago)

Despite the trauma, the owner expressed heartbreak more than anger, especially because he believes the suspect may also be Venezuelan.

“I’ve been a resident for eight years now, and it’s always a shame when it’s your own people doing these crimes,” he said. (Christian Post)

Police say the case remains under investigation. Andrew Mack, spokesperson for the Village of Melrose Park Police Department, confirmed detectives have identified a person of interest, but no arrest has been made yet.

“They know who it is,” Mack told The Christian Post. “They are now just trying to track that person down.” (Christian Post)

For many readers, the story serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change — and how, even in moments of fear, many instinctively turn to prayer and faith for strength.