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Neighbour asks for cup of salt holds elderly couple hostage for $50,000

Shocking!

An elderly couple have survived a shocking ordeal which began when their neighbour came by and asked for a cup of salt.

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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.’ 

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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.

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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.

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