Police are now probing two armed robberies within 30 minutes on Monday night. Law enforcers surmise the same three-armed attackers perpetrated both incidents.
In the first incident about 9:25pm, a 76-year-old man was beaten by armed robbers at a bar on Bennett Street in Villa.
The bar operator was about to close the establishment when he was reportedly approached by two masked men.
They assaulted him and stole $300.00 from a cash pan in the bar. They fired two shots before fleeing in a Toyota Vitz.
About 20 minutes later, three armed men struck at a shop in Clare Hall. They pounced on a man sitting outside, snatching three silver chains from his neck.
They also attempted to rob his cellphone. One reportedly entered the shop and demanded money, but a brave woman threw a liquid substance at him.
He ran from the shop and escaped from the scene with his cronies in a Toyota Vitz. They reportedly fired three shots as they escaped.
Police are asking anyone with information about either of the two incidents to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or Crimestoppers at 800-8477.
