Long Beach police say they’re investigating an assault earlier this week that hospitalized a Long Beach business owner.

The attack left Sue Kim, owner of the novelty store Lovers in the 400 block of Broadway Avenue, with stitches in her mouth, which make it difficult for her to speak.

Kim said she was working at the store Tuesday when a man and woman entered her business around 7:30 p.m. and began gathering merchandise.

When they were done, Kim proceeded to ring them up at the register. That’s when the woman grabbed the merchandise and ran out of the store, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

As Kim attempted to stop the theft, the man intervened and “battered” her, authorities said, adding that the two suspects fled on foot with the merchandise in an unknown direction.

Officers arrived shortly after and found Kim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries to her upper body. She was transported by Long Beach Fire Department personnel to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

Kim has since been released from the hospital and is taking some time off work.

Long Beach restaurants on high alert following recent string of break-ins