Irish businessman Paul Manning was pickpocketed outside the Irish House on the Arbat, the second robbery outside the popular hard-currency bar and grocery store in the last several weeks.


The Wednesday incident involved two men, one who gestured in sign language while the other picked Manning's pocket.


Several weeks ago, a Dutch diplomat was robbed at gunpoint at the same location.


Ellen O'Mahoney, retail manager of the Irish Store, said she has not heard of other criminal incidents near the establishment and stressed the business's commitment to security 1


"We have company security people inside as well as militia men posted outside of the store 24 hours a day", she said.


"Some of our regular customers ask them to help them get cabs, and we are certainly happy to offer that service to any of our customers. We all know that we have to be very careful these days".