Do not resist an armed robber

At least two hold-ups ended badly for the perpetrators in the past months when the victims retaliated and were even instrumental in getting the robbers arrested but security experts say fighting back is not necessarily the wisest option.

If faced with an armed robber, you should basically “hand over the money immediately”, according to security consultant John Schembri.

John Sacco, a security expert with 20 years experience, agrees saying it is always advisable not to resist and to hand over whatever the robber may be asking for.

“Chances are your aggressor would not expect a victim to fight back, so, if you react and take him by surprise, there’s no knowing how he will react,” Mr Schembri said.

There have been a string of robberies over the past days and weeks that were foiled by brave victims who decided to fight back. However, on Thursday, luck ran out for an Italian businessman who was shot in the leg when he refused to comply with his assailants’ demand to hand over a haversack containing gold.

He was with another two Italian nationals at the Papillon Cafe, in Ħamrun when two hooded robbers burst in and asked him to hand over his friend’s haversack containing about €70,000 worth of gold. He resisted and was shot before one of the robbers snatched the bag and fled.

Luckily, the bullet went right through his left leg and he was released after being treated in hospital.

So what makes people decide to resist or comply?

Forensic psychologist Roberta Holland says that when faced with such situations people could react in one of three ways: fight back, flee the scene or panic.

The way a person reacts depends on their personality and whether they are “fighters” by nature. Other factors include the perceived level of risk, an assessment of what they have to lose and whether they have been in a similar situation before.

In some cases, a person may act out of character, just as a man pointing a gun at a 12-year-old made an otherwise peaceful hairdresser react aggressively. But the element of unpredictability is precisely why it is always advisable not to resist and keep calm.

“An aggressor usually chooses his victims and tries to overpower them by, for example, using a weapon... The robber would not expect a victim to fight back so, if one does, it might take him by surprise and the fight, flight or panic instinct could kick in,” Ms Holland says, adding the last two options could lead to the aggressor firing his weapon.

According to Mr Sacco, people faced with an armed robber should always show their hands and not make sudden movements that could startle the assailant.

“Try not to look into the person’s eyes because if he realises you recognise him, things might turn for the worse... Throughout, one could try to discretely take note of what the thief is wearing, from head to toe, and his physical traits, and take a description of the weapon...

“The priority should be not to place yourself or anyone else at risk but, if it is safe, once the robber leaves, try to take note in which direction he went and the vehicle he used,” Mr Sacco says.

The success stories

Żebbuġ Batman

Earlier this month, Żebbuġ hairdresser Patrizio Parascandalo fought off an armed robber, who was later accused of a string of hold-ups in the locality, a fact that catapulted the young man to town hero status.

Mr Parascandalo “lost it” when the robber pointed his gun at a 12-year-old boy as he insisted on being given more money. At this point, the hairdresser, nicknamed “Batman” after the ordeal, punched and chased the robber out of his salon and later helped arrest him.

In hindsight, Mr Parascandalo said he was not sure he had acted wisely.

Valletta jewellery hold-up

On September 18, jeweller Frank Zampa, 79, stood up to three armed robbers who stormed into his Valletta shop in St Lucia Street.

One of the intruders grabbed him by the throat and tried to push him down to the floor as the other pointed a gun at him. “I raised my hands shouting ‘Don’t shoot, don’t shoot’ and they thought I’d surrendered. But as soon as I lowered my hands I lunged at his revolver, grabbing it and pushing it in his direction,” he said. As he wrestled with the robbers, the gun fired and the bullet skimmed his cheek.

During the scuffle he was beaten by the men who eventually fled the scene.

His priority was to save the businesses and did not consider the consequences.

Attard attack

On December 3, jeweller Silvio Mizzi wrestled a shotgun from one of three men who assaulted him and his father. The incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. when the two were returning home in Old Railway Road, Attard, after a long day at work at their shop, The Gold Market.

His father, Michael, was carrying a large bag containing cash and other belongings.

A hooded man emerged from the darkness brandishing a crowbar and told the 52-year-old jeweller to hand over his black bag. Mr Mizzi refused, prompting the thief to strike him with the metal bar.

Meanwhile, two other hooded men pounced on his son from another direction, brandishing a sawn-off shotgun.

The son snatched the gun and then fired about five shots, aiming at the hooded man who attacked his father.

It is believed he hit two of them.