Tourist robbed, North Belfast
04 Aug 2009
Police are appealing for information after a Spanish man was assaulted and robbed at a flat in North Belfast early on Tuesday morning (4 August).
It is understood that the man had been socializing in Belfast City Centre on Monday night. The man then shared a taxi from the City Hall with a male who had a local accent. This taxi dropped both men off in the area of Carlisle Parade. The unknown passenger invited the tourist to a nearby flat to arrange a second taxi to take the Spanish man on to his accommodation in West Belfast. Once inside the flat another male then threatened the victim with a kitchen knife, a screwdriver and a fork demanding his wallet. The victim was then assaulted and forced to handover a credit card pin number. One of the men continued to detain the victim while his accomplice used the man's bank cards to withdraw cash from a nearby ATM. The man was able to run from the premises and flag down a passing taxi at Carrick Hill before reporting the incident to Police at Grosvenor Road.
Police investigating the incident are keen to speak to the first taxi driver who transported the victim and a local male passenger from the City Hall area to Carrick Hill shortly after 3.00am on Tuesday. This taxi driver or anyone who has any further information about the incident is asked to contact Detectives at Antrim Road PSNI station. Anonymous information can also be passed to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
A 46 year old man has been arrested and is currently helping Police with their enquiries.
