A café worker was pistol-whipped and a customer was terrorized during an overnight robbery in the St. Michel district.
It happened around 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Café Cote Est at 2450 Charland Ave. at the corner of Bruchesi Ave.
Three men burst into the café and beat the cashier, a 27-year-old male, in the head with a firearm. They stole money from the cash, then spread gasoline and tossed two Molotov cocktails into the small, non-descript bar. One bomb failed, and the other caused only minor damage.
A 21-year-old woman in the café was splashed with gas, but was not injured. The cashier suffered a cut to his head.
Police say they're looking for four black men - three attackers and one driver - connected to the attack, but could not provide a more accurate description. They fled in a grey car.
String of firebombings
This is the second attack on the same corner café in just over a year, after a 46-year-old man was gunned down on Dec. 23, 2008.
The attack is also the 14th firebombing of an Italian cafe in the northeast end since last fall.
"In this particular case there's an armed robbery and then there's arson, but it does not mean that it's not linked to other events, and it doesn't mean that it is, because of the similarities of Molotov cocktails and whatnot," said Montreal police Const. Anie Lemieux.
Investigators still haven't pinpointed a motive, but believe an underworld struggle is occurring. Early last month, police arrested 18-year-old Mikendy Demosthene in connection with a firebombing of an Italian café. Demosthene allegedly has ties to street gangs, said police.
Neighbourhood concerns
Next-door neighbour Hlima Massou is considering relocating after the scare on Tuesday night.
"I'm afraid," said Massou. "I smelled gasoline and fire. I heard a noise and ran to my cousin's to spend the night. Now, I want to move."
The sentiment was echoed by another neighbour, Diana Belmonte.
"My mom, the first thing she told me is, 'Diana, I think it's time to move.' That's what she told me. I guess it's time. Eighteen years I've been here, and it's never been like this. Since the past two years, it's getting more and more dangerous," said Belmonte.
