Criminals threatened two kiosk owners in Merlo: “Give me the money or I’ll blow your head off”

The serious security crisis generated by Governor Axel Kicillof in the province of Buenos Aires was once again exposed with a violent assault that occurred during the early hours of this Monday in the district of Merlo.

Two armed criminals burst into a convenience store located at the corner of Senillosa and Provincial Route 21, threatened two employees with death using a gun, and escaped with cell phones and cash.

The incident occurred around 6 AM at the convenience store "El Pela," a business located in a high-traffic area of the Buenos Aires suburbs due to the number of bus lines that converge in that zone. Despite the usual activity in the area, the criminals had enough time to carry out the robbery and flee.

The event was recorded by the store's security cameras, and the footage shows the moment of maximum tension experienced by the workers. At that time, it was still dark, and the employees had kept the access doors to the store closed, although they continued to serve customers through a small window.

This mechanism was ultimately exploited by the criminals to carry out the robbery. Both arrived wearing hoods and with their faces partially covered. One of them was the first to demand money and the victims' cell phones.

The violent robbery

“I’m going to make it simple. I want the money, and we’re going to leave quietly. Nothing more,” one of the robbers is heard saying in the recording. Immediately afterward, he demanded their belongings again: “Give me the money, give me both phones, and we’ll leave quietly.”

The situation escalated when his accomplice pulled out a gun he had hidden in his clothing, loaded it, and aimed it at the workers. While holding the weapon with his right hand, he demanded that they hand over everything they had or he would shoot them in the head.

“Come on, man! Make it quick, come on, come on, come on. Give me everything, give me everything,” the criminal insisted while intimidating the store employees.

Faced with the threat, one of the victims explained that they had no more valuables inside the store. However, the robber's response was even more violent. “Give me the phones... You’re going to hear it explode, you son of a bitch,” he threatened.

In light of the situation, the employees chose to quickly hand over their belongings to prevent the incident from ending with even more serious consequences. The worker took his cell phone and his colleague's and handed them over to the criminals.

He then returned to the counter, took the money from the cash register, and also gave it to the robbers. According to police sources, the criminals ultimately escaped with the two cell phones and approximately $200,000.

The violent episode that occurred in Merlo once again highlights the security situation affecting various sectors of the province of Buenos Aires, especially in suburban areas.

Merchants and workers are exposed to violent robberies even in places with constant foot traffic and during hours when they carry out their daily activities.

This case adds to a problem that generates concern among the residents of Buenos Aires and once again calls into question the disastrous provincial management of Axel Kicillof.