Missionaries in Mexico announced as safe after armed robbery

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Seventy full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all safe following a robbery incident during a zone conference on Nov. 12 in Torreón, Mexico. (Google Maps/The Church News)

Two men entered a Church meetinghouse armed with guns while full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were having a zone conference on Nov. 12 in Torreón, Mexico.

According to a statement from Church spokesman Sam Penrod, the men intimidated the missionaries and demanded cell phones, tablets and wallets. He said a few missionaries were hit or kicked during the incident but all seventy missionaries at the conference are safe. The mission president, Alfredo Zanudo, and his wife were also assaulted and threatened with a knife.

“Local police were immediately called after the men fled the scene and no one needed additional medical care,” the statement says.

A Church counselor is now traveling from Mexico City to “assist with emotional needs” for the missionaries and other counseling options are being made available. The statement said a Church security officer is evaluating the situation in Torreón and parents are being contacted by the Church.

The missionaries were removed from the area where the incident occurred, encouraged to contact their families and instructed to be extra cautious.

“Our prayers are with these missionaries and their families as they recover from this frightening and traumatic experience,” the statement says.

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