An outlet of the popular coffee chain, Barista, in Safdarjung Development Area, opposite the Indian Institute Technology gate, was robbed of Rs 18,000 early on Thursday morning. Two unidentified men barged into the shop at 5.45 a.m., threatened an employee at gunpoint and emptied the cash box.
“A case under section 392 IPC for robbery at Hauz Khas police station and an investigation is being carried out,” said DCP south, Anil Shukla.
The outlet is opened to the public at 8 in the morning but a few employees come in at 5.30 am, when the food supplies arrive. On Thursday, Zubika Tamang was on duty.
“Usually we ask a male employee to do the early morning duty, but since Tamang wanted to leave early she opted for the morning shift,” said a senior Barista official.
Tamang was alone at the outlet, checking the accounts and security guard Ravinder Singh was standing outside when two men drove to the shop on a motorcycle.
According to Singh, one of them asked him if he could use the toilet. When Singh refused, the other took out a gun. He pointed the gun at his stomach and started threatening him. Singh immediately opened the shutters,” said a senior police officer.
The men then locked Singh inside the toilet. All this while, Tamang, who was bent down behind the counter, did not see the men enter.
{{/usCountry}}The men then locked Singh inside the toilet. All this while, Tamang, who was bent down behind the counter, did not see the men enter.
{{/usCountry}}They pointed the gun at Tamang and cleared out the cash counter. Tamang is in shock after the incident and has been given two days leave.
The outlet, bang opposite the IIT campus, is a popular haunt of the students and has customers walking in even late at night. This was the first incident of robbery at the outlet.
“This is an unfortunate incident. We have lodged an official complaint at the relevant police station. The police are investigating the matter,” said a Barista spokesperson.
Email Sobhana K: sobhana.k@hindustantimes.com