A FEMALE Irish expat living in West Trinidad is urging shoppers at the popular West Mall to be on the lookout for two female bandits allegedly operating out of the ladies toilet situated on the upper level of the mall.

She claimed to be robbed last Tuesday of her bank card and cash at knifepoint.

The woman, Eileen Pete who is currently attached to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, has circulated a warning of lurking danger to her many friends.

“I feel I have a duty, although difficult, to inform everyone to take extra precautions especially with the Christmas period approaching,” she said in her e-mail.

According to the vice-president, last Tuesday she had gone shopping in West Mall when, after having a cup of coffee, she made a withdrawal from the ABM machine located next the pharmacy.

“I then proceeded to the upper level to visit the ladies’ restrooms before departing the mall,” she continued.

“When entering the restroom, I observed two females who had just finished washing their hands and proceeded to the door.”

Pete said she thought she was alone in the restroom only to feel a sharp object pierce her back as she entered one of the cubicles.

“I knew immediately that I was being robbed and a knife was being placed with force against me,” she stated.

A female who she described as being about five feet, seven inches tall with short, dark hair and dressed in a floral shirt and jeans, ordered her to hand over her bank card, cash she had withdrawn and jewellery, while pressing a knife against her throat.

“She asked for my PIN, I gave her a false one,” she continued.

“As I proceeded to remove my watch, something startled her and she was gone in an instant.”

The woman said she was able to inform the mall’s security of the incident “through a Good Samaritan” and at the same time contacted her driver.

She criticised the mall security staff.

“I found them to be most unhelpful.

“I was asked to report it to the police who made me escort them back to the mall to see if we could identify anyone.”

She argued that because the person was “a professional”, she was “not going to hang around”.

“The police think it may be someone who works at the mall as they appeared and were gone too quickly.”

Saying that she received wounds to her back and throat, “but realised it could have been much worse”, she begged that shoppers be careful.

“I urge everyone to be cautious and not carry any valuables or wear jewellery and not to go to the mall alone, if avoidable.”

TnT Mirror spoke to the victim at her home.

She was very hostile over the telephone.

Two Thursdays ago, customers using a Scotia ABM machine at Mid-Centre Mall, Chaguanas encountered a similar incident.

This time, reports are that two young women were acting suspiciously at the entrance to the machine.

Customers reported the matter to mall security.

“They were begging for money and when you open your wallet, would snatch it and run …”