Police quiz motorists in hunt for robbery thugs
POLICE have said that they have no reason to believe a robbery which saw an elderly woman held at knifepoint in her own home was a targeted attack.
Cops hunting four thugs who robbed Bilqis Chaudhry in her Giffnock home have appealed to the public for information, a week after the ‘cowardly act’ took place.
The masked men broke into the house which 69-year-old Mrs Chaudhry shares with her husband Rafique Akber Chaudhry, around 6pm on Monday April 10.
The men cut the phone lines, removed CCTV cameras and held the immobile grandmother at knifepoint, before making off with £4500 in cash.
Officers spoke to motorists on Rouken Glen Road a week on from the incident.
DI Ian Hylands said Mrs Chaudhry, who was alone at the time of the incident, is struggling to come to terms with the ordeal.
Speaking on Rouken Glen Road, he said: “Since this incident last week we have carried out a significant amount of inquiry including CCTV and witness statements.
“However, I am still keen to speak to anyone who may have any information regarding this incident.
“We want to speak to anyone who may have been driving down Rouken Glen Road last week at this time, who may have any information.
“This was a horrific ordeal for the victims of this crime, which happened in their own home.
“The family are finding it difficult to come to terms with what they have been through.”
The detective inspector added that officers have no reason to believe that the family was targeted.
It is believed that the cash which was taken had been raised for the local community centre by Mr Chaudhry.
The pensioner’s nephew Iffy Bashir and other relatives caught the men on camera af- ter arriving at the house to pick up furniture as they were making their getaway.
Iffy, 34, and four of his nephews and a cousin chased the gang who were armed with knives and screwdrivers.
They managed to take pictures of the thugs as they struggled to get into a grey Volvo car.
DI Hylands thanked the public for their help in catching those responsible for the attack. He added: ‘I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the local community for their help so far.
‘I am appealing to anyone who may know those responsible for this cowardly act to contact Giffnock police office or call 101.’
Speaking last week, Mr Chaudhry, a former volunteer of the year for his community fundraising, said: “My wife is in shock still. She does not deserve this. Who could threaten a woman like this? It is very bad.”