Robbery attempt thwarted at Waldorf-Astoria, former cop injured

New York, November 16: The Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York witnessed huge drama on Saturday afternoon. The pandemonium began at the lobby jewelry store when a gunman dressed in black pulled out a gun and started smashing the display cases with an intention to rob the store.

The store security guard thwarted the robbery attempt as he tackled the mugger. In the process shots were fired injuring the 54-year-old guard, Gregory J. Boyle. He was shot under the left armpit and was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center. He is stated to be out of danger.

The plunderer has been identified as Rafael Rabinovich-Ardans of Highland Park, N.J. The police have charged him with attempted murder, assault, robbery and grand larceny.

The entire episode left the hotel guests in a tizzy, scurrying for cover. Detective Dennis Canales said, "It was pretty chaotic. People running through the lobby, people screaming." The guests were seen scattering, hiding behind hotel furniture and running into rooms.

The 47 story Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is a famous luxurious hotel in New York. Designed by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, the hotel came up on the Fifth Avenue of the Empire State Building. Its present building is at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan.

The modern hotel houses three American and classic European restaurants. It boasts of a “hotel within a hotel" known as The Waldorf Towers. The hotel has its own railway platform and an elevator large enough for Franklin D. Roosevelt's car to access that platform.

Cellini Jewelers, where the robbery attempt took place specializes in the sale of luxury watches festooned with diamonds and gold. Cellini had opened its outlet in the hotel lobby in 1977.

At a nearby hotel, Pakistani Prime Minister Asif Ali Zardari was present. Secret Service agents protecting Mr Zardari immediately rushed to Waldorf-Astoria on hearing the gunshots. Law enforcement personnel also reached the spot within no time.