Foiled armed robbery at Velez-Malaga cinema

TWO hooded men took €22,282 after pistol-whipping and tying up a cinema manager at a Velez-Malaga shopping centre.

The attack took place shortly after 10pm at the cinema complex at El Ingenio as the manager prepared to count the takings from previous days.

One of the men threatened the manager with a gun before hitting him over the head with the butt, police sources disclosed.

After falling to the floor with a wound that later needed seven stitches, he was immobilised with adhesive tape. At this point the second man entered the manager’s office and opened the safe before both departed with its contents.

Unknown to the thieves they were seen putting on the balaclavas they wore for the robbery and police were immediately alerted.

One of the pair was intercepted as he walked along the Avenida del Sol.

A search of his backpack revealed not only the money but also a balaclava, gloves and plastic restraints. Criminal investigation officers at Velez police station located the accomplice, an employee at the centre with inside knowledge, two days later.

The attacker responsible for hitting the cinema manager was remanded in prison on the orders of the judge in charge of the case.

By Linda Hall