Elderly Couple Bound in Bathroom During Violent Bar Robbery

A terrifying ordeal unfolded for an elderly couple in Franca, São Paulo, when their bar was invaded by armed assailants. The violent incident occurred in the early evening, turning a routine night into a life-threatening situation.

The couple, both senior citizens and local business owners, were subjected to a harrowing experience where they were bound and confined within their own property. The perpetrators fled the scene with stolen goods, but a swift police response led to the apprehension of three suspects.

On the evening of Monday, January 19, the situation at the bar located along the Rio Negro and Solimões Highway (SP-336) escalated rapidly. Around 6:00 PM, three individuals entered the premises through the rear of the property, bypassing the main entrance to catch the occupants off guard.

The assailants immediately subdued the elderly owners, restraining them before locking them inside a bathroom. During the confrontation, the violence intensified when one of the robbers brandished a machete.

"Pensando comigo: 'nunca imaginei na minha vida que eu iria morrer com o pescoço cortado'. Pensei que ele queria cortar meu pescoço, facão aqui [no pescoço]."

The 79-year-old woman, speaking anonymously to local media, described the sheer terror of the moment. The threat was not just physical but psychological, as she feared for her life while the weapon was held to her neck.

While the primary goal of the intrusion appeared to be theft, the specific items taken highlighted the opportunistic nature of the crime. The robbers ransacked the couple's quarters, targeting personal belongings and cash.

The perpetrators managed to secure a significant amount of cash and personal items before making their escape. The total value of the stolen property included:

• Personal cash from the woman's handbag
• Additional funds from the bar's register
• The couple's personal vehicle
• Various products from the bar inventory

According to the victim, the robbers took approximately R$200 from her bag and an additional R$300 from the premises. While the financial loss was notable, the emotional and physical trauma of the event was far more significant for the elderly victims.

The investigation moved quickly thanks to a routine patrol on Avenida Carlos Roberto Haddad. Officers from the Military Police (PM) conducted a traffic stop that would ultimately crack the case.

Upon checking the license plate of a vehicle driven by the suspects, the system flagged it as belonging to the owner of the bar that had just been robbed. This immediate connection allowed the officers to act decisively.

"Na hora em que pesquisou o emplacamento do veículo, constou o nome de um conhecido nosso que mora nas imediações. Uma equipe foi ao local e constatou que tratava-se de um roubo, que a família ficou amarrada dentro de um cômodo da casa." - Capitão Luciano Pereira, Polícia Militar

Following the traffic stop, police recovered all of the victims' stolen property. The officers also seized several items used during the commission of the crime, including gorros (likely used for concealment), a machete, and a knife. The three suspects were transported to the Franca Public Jail to await judicial proceedings.

The legal ramifications for the trio are compounded by the criminal history of at least one member of the group. During the processing of the suspects, authorities discovered that one of the individuals was already a fugitive from justice regarding a different crime.

This detail suggests a pattern of criminal behavior and highlights the importance of the police intervention. The apprehension not only solved the immediate case of the bar robbery but also removed a wanted individual from the streets. The suspects remain in custody, held at the disposal of the Justice system as the investigation continues into the full scope of their activities.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of small business owners, particularly the elderly, who often operate with limited security measures. The community in Franca has been shaken by the brutality of the attack, specifically the use of a machete against a senior citizen.

Fortunately, the victims were not physically injured, a fact that authorities emphasize given the violent nature of the assault. The swift resolution of the case by the local police force has provided a measure of relief to the community, demonstrating effective coordination and response to violent crime in the region.