Last week police released crime prevention tips for businesses as a part of their holiday strategy. But despite the warning four businesses have been held up at gunpoint in less than 24 hours.
The first incident occurred shortly after six on Tuesday evening when two unmasked men entered and robbed Laselle’s Notions. The facility, which is located in Kennedy Subdivision, was robbed of several phone cards.
“The suspects managed to escape on foot,” said Inspector Walter Evans. “The first male is being described as tall and slim built. He wore dark clothing. The second one was five feet seven inches tall medium built and of a dark complexion. He wore a yellow and white shirt and had a gold tooth.” Twenty minutes after the incident men fitting the same description robbed the Price Busters store on East Street South.
According to Inspector Evans, an undetermined amount of cash was taken. “They [also] robbed all of the customers who were present of cash and jewellery,” he said. “Both men then ran out the store where they were later joined by a third person. We believe that the persons who were connected with the Laselle’s robbery may be the same persons.”
The Capriccio Ristorante on West Bay Street was also robbed on Tuesday night. Around nine o’clock in the evening, a male entered wearing a dark coloured army jacket and black trousers with a dark coloured scarf around the lower portion of his face.
The suspect who was armed with a handgun, robbed the establishment of an undetermined amount of cash. “He then proceeded to rob an employee whom he held at gun point [and] two customers in the store,” said Inspector Evans. “He escaped in a dark coloured vehicle and another person assisted him that regard.”
Shortly after one (o’ clock) yesterday, two employees at the Quality Discount Mart on Robinson Road were shot after an attempted armed robbery was foiled.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Crime, Reginald Ferguson two men entered the store and held up the manger and one of his employees. “They attempted to disarm the individual and in the process they were joined by an unexpected individual who fired shots,” said Assistant Commissioner Ferguson. “The employee and manager were both injured and subsequently taken to the hospital. There are no fatalities in this incident.” The robbers, who left empty handed, escaped in a tan Honda vehicle bearing a licence plate number 15748 in the Montel Heights area.
“We are all over making every effort to try to locate that vehicle and get these culprits off the street as quickly as possible,” said Assistant Commissioner Ferguson. Police have cautioned all businesses and individuals to be extremely careful as the Christmas holidays fast approach. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Inspector Walter Evans said businesses face a higher risk of being robbed.
“We believe that businesses will be targeted perhaps more than an individual because of general reasons,” said Inspector Evans. “There is a high rate of business which is generated this time of year and so persons will use businesses as a target for getting quick money.”
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
