PORTLAND, Ore. – Employees of a neighboring business found a woman bound and gagged after being assaulted during a robbery in Southeast Portland Wednesday.

The victim was identified as 37-year-old Nicole Loundree.

Police arrested 25-year-old Comcast employee Michael Clarence Hagen for attempted aggravated murder, robbery and assault. He appeared in court and pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Investigators said the found $3,000, a plastic gun and a collapsible metal baton inside the van he was driving.

Detective Mary Wheat said the crime was reported at the Ace Check Cashing at 7332 SE Powell around 10:30 a.m.

Two employees from the Chair Outlet next door became concerned when they found their phone lines down. They went next door to Ace and found one woman talking to a Comcast employee.

She tried to indicate to them that everything was not OK and the two left.

Not long after, the men went around to the back of the business and said they heard muffled arguing and loud noises. When the two went inside they saw a female employee bound, with her mouth taped shut and bleeding from the head.

"It was a horrific thing to see," Shawn Lamb said.

Loundree was behind a bullet-proof glass enclosure, and they were not able to immediately get to her.

A man in a Comcast uniform fled, and Lamb said they called police and an ambulance. The Ace employee was taken to OHSU.

Portland Police

Officers stopped two Comcast trucks near 67th and SE Mall St. and later arrested Hagen.

The suspect’s family told investigators Hagen was going through tough financial times and had just received an eviction notice from his apartment manager. Court records show he's facing seven liens involving three different apartment addresses in Oregon.

“Comcast is appalled to learn of the situation," Comcast spokesperson Theresa Davis said. "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.”

The company released a statement urging customers to ask for ID or call their help center if there's ever any suspicion about an in-home visit.

“Although our technicians and sales employees may visit customers homes outside of scheduled appointment times, customers should feel comfortable contacting our customer service center if they have any questions about the work they are performing at their residence or place of business.”

(KGW Reporter Katherine Cook contributed to this report)