PORTLAND, Ore. -- A check-cashing store employee was still recovering at an area hospital Thursday after a Comcast employee attacked and robbed her, police said.

At about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, the man walked into the Ace Checks Cashed on Southeast 73rd Avenue and Powell Street, where he attacked and robbed a woman who works in the store, police said. Officers have identified the employee as 37-year-old Nicole Loundree, of Portland.

Workers at a nearby business said they noticed something suspicious at the check-cashing store and then saw a man in a Comcast uniform rush out and leave in a Comcast van.

Police said several people tried to chase after him but he got away. A few minutes later, the investigation ended at 67th Avenue and Holgate Boulevard where police stopped two Comcast vans.

"I was in front at work and saw five police cars just come flying around the corner," said Chad Itami, who works in Southeast Portland. "They stopped a Comcast car and I didn't know what they were doing."

Portland police questioned the drivers of both Comcast vans and took them into custody. They later released one of the men and arrested the other, Michael Clarence Hagen, a 25-year-old Comcast employee, on charges of attempted aggravated murder, assault and robbery.

"I don't really love Comcast, but the people are nice. So I couldn't imagine that. It's one of those dumb crook stories if it's really true," Itami said.

A representative at Comcast released a statement saying the company was shocked by the allegations.

"We were appalled to learn of this situation, and our thoughts remain with the store employee and her family.

We continue to work closely and cooperate with local authorities and have put the individual on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The safety of the members of the Portland community is our top priority."

Detectives said they recovered a metal object that may have been used as a weapon in the robbery. In the Comcast van, detectives also found a plastic replica handgun altered to resemble a real gun, according to Portland police.

Michelle Gardner, who lives in southeast Portland, said she was shocked that a Comcast employee was accused of a violent robbery.

"That frightens me because Comcast was just at our house this morning just at 9 o'clock fixing our wireless Internet, because our modems were broken, and you don't know who you're letting in your home," Gardner said.

Any commercial business that has had any suspicious encounters with a Comcast employee recently should call Portland Detective Chris Traynor at 503-823-0464.

Police: Comcast Worker Wore Uniform In Robbery