A 19-year-old woman was seriously beaten by two men who robbed the store where she was working Monday night in Winnipeg's St. Vital area.

Police were called just before 9:30 p.m. to the store on St. Anne's Road south of Bishop Grandin Boulevard and found the woman so badly injured she was unconscious.

She later told police two men walked out with several things without paying. When they went to their vehicle, she decided to use her cellphone to get a photo of the men and their licence plate number — but they turned around and saw her, said police spokeswoman Const. Tammy Skrabek.

"It's definitely a smart thing to do. However, you have to remember the suspects are observing you … and they don't want to be caught. It is very likely that they could attempt to retaliate," she said.

The robbers stormed back into the store, attacked the woman and stole the phone, Skrabek said.

Other employees in the store called 911 and the woman was rushed to hospital. There is no update on her condition, police said Tuesday.

Lock doors, call police

The police "absolutely appreciate people wanting to be helpful and get as much information as they can," but also urge people to be careful, Skrabek said.

In cases such as this, where a business is robbed, Skrabek advises staff to lock the doors once the suspects have left — even if there are other customers inside.

"Just explain, 'We just had an incident. We need a couple of minutes to regroup and we want to call the police and make sure it's safe, that these people don't return.'"

The suspects are described as 25-35 years old and about six feet tall, with average builds and short, dark hair. The vehicle is a white, newer-model SUV.

The major crimes unit is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).