Employee hospitalized after break-in at Avondale restaurant

An employee was hospitalized after a break-in at an Avondale restaurant Monday morning, according to police and media reports.

The break-in happened around 4:30 a.m. at Brothers Restaurant, 3000 W. Belmont Ave., multiple outlets reported. A man broke the front window and entered the building, displayed a sharp object and demanded money, police said.

Two employees inside the restaurant fought with the suspect, who pepper-sprayed them before taking money and running away. Co-owner Laura Villegas told WGN-TV her husband and the cook were involved in the fight.

“He was unconscious,” Villegas said. “My husband was afraid of his life, so he just throw the money, he said, ‘Here. There’s no more. I don’t have no more money. Just take it and go, take it and go."

The cook was taken to Swedish Hospital in fair condition. Villegas' husband refused medical treatment.

Detectives are investigating. No one is in custody.