SALEM, Ore. -- An armed robber pistol-whipped a worker at a Subway sandwich shop early Sunday morning.

Police said a woman working at the Subway restaurant, located on Commercial Street in south Salem, asked the robber if his weapon was real. He then hit her on the head with a black handgun.

Bobby Osburn, who works at the Subway shop, said he doesn't feel threatened at the shop, but admitted he's never been in the same situation.

"Maybe she got a little smart mouth and maybe they popped her one," Osburn said. "I'm sure she was very scared. People act differently when they're in that situation."

Shannon Shelton, who used to work at the same sandwich shop, said she's not surprised by recent Subway robberies in Oregon. She said the late-night and early-morning hours make the shops more susceptible to crime.

"I would honestly think there would be some safety training," Shelton said. "In a case like that, you don't challenge them in any way."

The man who robbed the shop is described as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 26 or 27 years old. He had blue eyes and wore blue jeans, a brownish-gray hooded sweatshirt, black boots and had a deep voice.

Anyone with information is asked to call Salem police.

Robber Pistol Whips Worker At Sandwich Shop