Secret Service launches probe into Kal Penn robbery

Los Angeles: The US Secret Service has launched a probe into the robbery case of Indian American actor Kal Penn.

Penn, best known for his roles in the "Harold & Kumar" films and TV`s "House", reported that the first suspect approached him at 1.20 am Tuesday with a gun and ordered him to get down on the ground before taking his wallet and cell phone. A second suspect then joined him. The robber is said to have stolen Penn`s two cell phones -- one of which belongs to the US government, reports a news website. The actor is currently a member of President Barack Obama`s staff - serving as the Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement -- and since the crook took Kal`s government issued cell, the Secret Service is now joining with the D.C. Metro Police Department to hunt for the bad guy. According to the sources, Penn contacted White House communications, who stopped service on the stolen phone and issued him a new cell. We`re told "no information was compromised because no official numbers were in the phone." IANS