Neighbour asks for cup of salt holds elderly couple hostage for $50,000
An elderly couple have survived a shocking ordeal which began when their neighbour came by and asked for a cup of salt.
Louis Rosen, 99, and his wife, Irene, were happy to welcome Leonard Benitez, 45, into their home, but then he suddenly threatened the pair with a knife and a gun and demanded $50,000 - reports ABC Local 10 News.
During the horrifying encounter, Louis was struck in the head with the gun.
'I was scared to death,’ says Irene.
‘I am not a gun person. I've never been around guns.’
The Broward Deputy Sheriff’s office spokesperson said despite her fear, Irene saved the day by getting to a phone and calling the police.
When they arrived Irene was able to escape, but Louis was still trapped inside.
After about 2 hours in a stand-off with SWAT officers, Benitez surrendered.
Louis was treated for a head wound he sustained when he was struck with the gun, but is otherwise unharmed.
Benitez has been held without bond and faces charges of home invasion, battery, false imprisonment of an adult and kidnapping.
This article first published on New Idea.
