US: Officials say robbers used health care ruse
Wed Sep 16 04:51:07 EST 2009
Tue Sep 15 18:51:07 UTC 2009
RIVERHEAD, New York, Sept 15 AP - Prosecutors say a man wearing a stethoscope and a woman holding a clipboard forced their way into a New York home under the guise of distributing pamphlets on President Barack Obama's health care plan and shot the residents before stealing $US4,000 ($A4,642).
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office says a woman who lived at the Huntington residence opened the door and offered to take a pamphlet on August 29, local newspaper Newsday reports. It says the suspects then forced their way inside the house and demanded money.
Prosecutors say the suspects then shot the woman in the foot and the woman's boyfriend in the neck, chest, shoulder and back. They say the suspects also pistol-whipped the woman's mother.
The suspects and two alleged accomplices pleaded not guilty on Monday to robbery and assault charges.
Police are looking for a fifth suspect.
