Receptionist arrested over hotel robbery claim

POLICE have arrested a hotel receptionist on suspicion of fraud after he claimed to have been robbed at knifepoint.

The 34-year-old stated that he was forced to hand over €1,500 in the early hours of yesterday morning from the reception of the hotel, located in Yeroskipou. Following an investigation, police believe the man took the money himself.

He initially told police that a robber, speaking English and wearing a crash helmet and black jacket and trousers, had committed the robbery.

He also said that he’d been pepper-sprayed during the incident, but police examiners found no evidence of such an event taking place.

According to state radio, the man was working in a hotel in Peyia a year ago, when a similar allegation against him was reported. He was arrested but not charged.

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