A London man says he was assaulted, threatened with a cattle prod, and robbed during a Grindr hookup gone wrong.
It all started when the 26-year-old victim invited a man over to his apartment in Queensborough Terrace.
The suspect arrived at the victim’s place around 5 p.m. on September 28. Police describe him as being in his mid-20’s, Caucasian, with short blond hair and a slim build. According to reports, he began texting someone on his cellphone, before announcing he wanted to leave.
The victim showed him to the door. But when he opened it, he found himself standing face to face with a second man. He was holding a cattle prod in his hand.
Suspect #2, who police say was a Caucasian man in his late-20’s with a bald head, violently shoved the victim back into the house, then threatened to electrocute him with the cattle prod if he didn’t hand over his cash and laptop.
“The victim thankfully did not suffer serious physical injuries but has been left very shaken by this incident,” Detective Constable April Smart told the media.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the LGBT community that we are doing everything we can to arrest these men and have followed and eliminated a number of potential leads and enquiries to date,” Smart added. “I would urge everyone who uses the services of online dating apps and sites to take steps to help them to stay safe whilst meeting strangers.”
Police have released the following surveillance videos that show the suspects. The first video shows Suspect #1 outside the building. The second video shows Suspect #2 outside the apartment holding the weapon.
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Roan
He looks right at the camera and leaves his handprint on the wall. Should be easy to find.
JerseyMike
Why are people so Fcuking stupid!! Cameras are everywhere!! You will be seen and you will be caught FOOL!!
Gigi Gee
THIS is why I’ve been in a relationship for so long. That and because I found the world’s #1 best man. (Seriously though, the guy is lucky that he’s still alive to tell the story. WTF!)
Chris
This is just wrong; I hope they catch the perps and do onto them as they did onto the victim.
AnitaMann
Grindr is dangerous. Plain and simple.
seaguy
@Gigi Gee: Well not everyone has lucked out to have such a perfect man and like you miss perfect. Get over yourself.
seaguy
@AnitaMann: Only if your an idiot.
NJjoe
@JerseyMike:
My thoughts precisely!
JDean
Good thing stupid isn’t contagious
Saint Law
As Grindr meets go that was pretty good.
aliengod
It’s hard to feel sorry for these idiots that use apps to meet strangers for anonymous sex.
enlightenone
Grindr+stranger = not “safe” = risk: luck – killed!
TrueWords
@Gigi Gee: You are correct to CELEBRATE that you have found someone…far too many gay men (people in general) are constantly looking over their shoulders even when someone good is RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR FACES…the internet has reduced maturity for many with the notion of someone better coming along so why go all in…keep rolling the dice…instead of taking your winning and doing something with them…called INVESTMENT in self and another person….
I'm Black, and HIV-Positive.
Still I have to wonder why they just didn’t use the weapon all the same, and then do as they wanted. I bet what fueled this armed robbery was the bald one was angry that he could never get into anyone’s apartment on account of not being attractive enough in his own right. Probably viewed it as revenge, or just “Robin Hooding”. On the other hand I wished the story had told us how much money the two perpetrators got away with. I hope this isn’t another special interest story, told to us just because the victim was rich enough.