Concern is growing over the number of home invasions reportedly being perpetrated by a lone gunman in Grand Bahama and, with the two reported in the last three days turning violent, residents are asking if they are all related.
The most recent of the incidents was reported Tuesday morning after a masked man, armed with a handgun, gained entry to a home in the Hudson Estates area around 1:50 a.m..
Police say a male occupant reported that he was at home with his family when a man entered and demanded cash.
He then took a brown and tan bag, valued at $50 and containing $1,800 in cash and fled on foot.
The armed bandit was described as being between 5’10” to 6′ tall, slim build and wearing dark clothing with hood and mask.
Two days earlier, a male fitting a similar description gained entry into a home in the Gough Lane area around 6:00 a.m. where a male and female were resident.
He also demanded cash and jewelry and, according to the police, the male occupant was hit in the face before the culprit got away with a brown leather bag, valued at $300, containing three bank cards.
One week ago, police learned of two armed robberies about two hours apart.
The first occurred around 4:30 a.m. in the Settler’s Way area on Tuesday, March 12, when a man, described as tall, clad in black, wearing a mask and gloves and armed with a handgun, entered a home and demanded cash.
When the culprit was told that there was no money, he punched the male resident to the mouth, then stole $5 from a vehicle parked at that residence that was left unsecured before fleeing on foot.
Then, around 6:35 a.m., a male suspect fitting the earlier description, who was armed with a handgun, entered a residence in the Man-a-War Circle area and demanded cash from the male resident.
The suspect reportedly made away with $180 in cash, a handbag valued at $50 with personal items, and an assortment of jewelry, the value of which is unknown.
Back on December 17, 2012, an armed dark colored man of slim build and wearing dark clothing gained access to a home in the Morgan Lane area around 3:00 a.m. and robbed the female resident of $200 in cash.
With so many incidents in recent weeks, all taking place during the early morning hours, residents in one neighborhood are convinced those crimes are linked to others that were being perpetrated during the latter part of 2012.
Police say they are actively investigating these matters and are appealing to the general public with any information that can assist to come forward.
According to Assistant Commissioner Emrick Seymour, the department is concerned about the incidents and is bringing all of its resources to bear to ensure that they bring the matters to a close.
“We have had those two incidents happen recently of home invasion and it’s a concern to residents … I’m sure, it’s a definite concern to the police,” he said. “As to whether or not the two incidents or the incidents we had last year and this year are related, we cannot say at this time.
By Lededra Marche
News Editor, Freeport News
