Armed robber hits GT store

| 12/08/2009

(CNS): An armed robber held a knife to his victim’s neck and then tied her up in a bathroom. George Town detectives are investigating the robbery, which took place on Walkers Road on Monday, 10 August. Police have reported that the 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call at 10:56am stating that a man, armed with a knife, had robbed the Shop Rite store of over $300 in cash. The offender is described as being of dark complexion and around 6 feet tall. At the time of the incident he was wearing a light blue shirt.

Police responded to the scene and found the female employee traumatized but uninjured. She said that a man entered the store, asked if they sold cell phone top-ups and then exited the store saying he had forgotten the number. There was one other customer in the store at that time. Once that customer left, the offender returned ostensibly to complete his purchase.

When the victim turned her back to the offender to add the credit to his cell ‘phone he went around the counter, held a knife to her neck and took the money. The offender then forced the victim into a bathroom and tied her up. The man is thought to have run from the store into Windsor Park.

Investigations into this robbery are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact DC Colin Pryce on 525 9935.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000 should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The last thing I feel we need

    The last thing I feel we need in this country is bars on our windows and doors, but since we have more foreigners than Caymanians (native ones that is), whomare committing the majority of the more serious crimes, in just two weeks we have sentenced more foreigners to life in prison than Caymanians, so what does that tell me.

     

    What that should tell you, assuming you are intelligent, is that there are more non-Caymanians on island than Caymanians. Of course there are likely to be more people committing crimes who are not local or who have Caymanian heritage if they out number locals 7 to 1.  Common sense would explain that.

     

    Blame the foreigners. It’s easier that way after all. Because Caymanians (and yes I am one), do not like to take responsibility for much. People of Cayman, grow up, drop the ignorance, and do something to help your country!

  2. Anonymous says:

    I’m glad to hear that the store clerk is safe but obviously he wasn’t wearing any mask? After coming into the store twice, asking for credit, holding a knife to the woman’s throat and then tying her up she can’t come up with a better description than that? Wasn’t there anyone around outside? If persons that see things can’t talk, then in cases like these I dont know how they expect the police to be of any assistance. Crime won’t solve itself people.

  3. Robert Morgan says:

    "If you buy a gun to shoot the robbers, then you will be sent to prison for doing that.  A security guard is the way to go.  Not shooting the robbers, because that will land you in prison and greatly traumatize your life!"

    Only if Cayman has a law that says you can’t shoot a robber. 

    Tomorrow morning Big Mac and his crew can pass a law that says (a) businesses can arm staff with defensive weapons and (b) that shooting robbers is perfectly legal. 

    Take back your safety.  Get Big Mac to pass the law. 

    • Dennie Warren Jr. says:
       
      Section 18(1)(a) of the Firearm Law (2008 Revision) says, “No person shall discharge any firearm on or within forty yards of any public road or in any public place except in the lawful protection of his person or property or of the person or property of some other person.
       
       
  4. Twyla M Vargas says:

    YES, Another robbery with violence.  Is everyone sleeping, ot think it canthappen to them.  Broad daylight.    It would seem like a simple case to crack, but dont be too sure, it could have been well planned that way.  The celphone number probably is not correct, anyway it should be investigated and who knows where the trail may lead.  The lady spoke to the man, looked  at him.  I am sure she can identify more than 6 feet and a blue shirt.

    Well one thing I am sure of you wont find any caymanians at these cash registers to get robbed.  in fact I havent seen a caymanian at a cash register or reception area for a very long time. 

    Still comments will be thrown at the police to be more vigilent in stoping and searching persons who are being idle and loitering while everybody else is at work..   Sometime you can see people relaxing, sitting in the park in the middle of the town, from 8.30 am until 5.30 pm, why?   The police need to have an eye for thiese kind of people.   Security Guards need to pay careful attention to window shoppers looking suspicious.  Shoppers need to be aware of their surroundings and shopkeepers need to pay attention to everyone if that is what it is going to take.  

    Its really terrible what is taking place.  Because many business will loose customers because of these robberies.  To tell  you the truth I do not want to go to the supermarket after 6pm.  Sometimes you cant find anywhere to park and in the back is so dark.  Women shopping alone at supermarkets are soft target for robberies.  I do hope they be careful when puting groceries inside the car at nights.  Many Caymanians are locked in by 6pm, that is a shame we cant even sit outside and beat mosquitoes any more.   Frustrated Caymanian.

  5. antimama says:

    Ok, What are we waiting for, another crime to take place, see a pattern here? these suckers are here to destroy these  islands be it expat or our own low life vagrants.

    So I say to all Caymanians and legal residents that truly have Cayman at heart, get ready to take it back, start neighborhood watches, organise district drives at interval hours of the night at least two people to a car, do not advertise who or what type car you are driving, keeep a log of all activities and licenses of all cars that are on the road after 1.am in the morning,you will easily know those that are going to work daily no need to bother good citizens. Businesses put security cameras in your properties and watch dogs that are trained. We need to stop this type of behaviour now and we need to start breaking a few knee caps to get the message across.

    "FED UP DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT’

  6. Anonymous says:

    To: All six-foot men of dark complexion better ditch their light blue shirts and stay home.

    LMAO!!!! A well deserved comic break from all the madness happening now.

    Your point should be noted however. Please people lets get more specific descriptions out there so that we can help with identifying these useless slugs within our society. The descriptions have been way too generic and really does not serve any purpose.

    This case should be solved by the end of day however. Please get the eye-witness and the top up number.

  7. Anonymous says:

    It’s rather ironic on an Island of 50,000 people someone thinks we need security guards for convenience stores. Really? Imagine the number of security guards they should have in a country such as the US. Better call the Army for some help.

     Oh it’s only $9 an hour. Do you have any idea how many bags of chips & bottles of pop someone has to actually sell to make a profit & pay for that service? Probably not. Sell 1 watch at the jewellers & you’ll have the month paid for!

    Let’s focus on making our island safer rather than putting the responsibility for protection solely on the small business owners’s shoulders.  The owners do have a responsibility to their employees & to themselves. Camera’s? Buddy system when closing? Cash drops to a safe? Legalising pepper spray & deterrents?

     

     

     

     

  8. Annoymous says:

    The last thing I feel we need in this country is bars on our windows and doors, but since we have more foreigners than Caymanians (native ones that is), whom are committing the majority of the more serious crimes, in just two weeks we have sentenced more foreigners to life in prison than Caymanians, so what does that tell me.

    I am so sorry this store has been robbed again, but the owner should do something to protect his/her business such as install cameras and panic alarms, and maybe a counter with security screening around it and a lock door so they can’t come behind the counter to attack the staff.  There are measures that can be taken to protect the staff and the stores money, shame on the owner if they have done nothing and keep getting robbed. 

    Shut them down until they do, or the owner will should not be allowed to open late at night without security for his staff. 

    Too often in this country greed overcomes safety.

  9. Anonymous says:

    If you buy a gun to shoot the robbers, then you will be sent to prison for doing that.  A security guard is the way to go.  Not shooting the robbers, because that will land you in prison and greatly traumatize your life!

  10. Anonymous says:

    "Being penny wise and pound foolish, means trying to make an extra couple hundred dollars a week, but then at the cost of trauma, possible injury or even death.  Not worth it!"

    That same couple of hundred dollars would get you a perfectly good 12 gauge people-killer.  THAT"S a deterrent.

  11. Anonymous says:

    As far as i know this is the 2nd robbery of Shop Rite.

    Businesses can hire a security guard for $9 per hour.  It’s worth it.  When ihad my business i had a security guard.  I never had a problem.  The security guard is a detterant to robbers.  All businesses in Cayman should hire their own security guard in these times.  Or else get traumatized and robbed!  If your business cannot afford a security guard, then close it down, because it means your business is not making it anyhow.  Otherwise if your business can afford it, stop being greedy, stop being penny wise and pound foolish, hire a security guard.  That’s what they are there for.  Being penny wise and pound foolish, means trying to make an extra couple hundred dollars a week, but then at the cost of trauma, possible injury or even death.  Not worth it!

    Wisen up Cayman!  Just because the Law is there does not mean it will be kept.  You better stop depending on the Law and start depending on your own provisions of security and common sense!  Open your eyes!  Crime is going to keep getting worse, not better!  Wake up! 

    • Anonymous says:

      My guess is that you own/manage a security company. Security guards are unarmed, many are physically unfit and unimposing and offer no protection whatsoever except from the most timid of criminals.

      • Anonymous says:

        Your guess is wrong!  i have nothing to do with nor own any security company, so don’t be so arrogant in your guessing?  Security guards are a deterrant to robbers, just like a barking dog is!  Nothing is 100% fullproof, but i would say it’s 99% full proof that if you have a security guard, you will not get robbed because it is too hard and difficult for the robber to make his way through.  See in this case the robber waited til the last person in the store walked out, then he made his way in and committed the robbery. 

        • Anonymous says:

          I still think it is a fair guess given your obvious attempt to promote security companies. Don’t talk nonsense about 99% "full proof". They offer very little real protection. Most of them are inattentive.    

  12. Anonymous says:

    Come on Police Officers track down the person who was in the store to see if they saw the person.  This looks like a easy case to me…

    Happy to know that the store clerk is ok.

     

  13. Anonymous says:

    All six-foot men of dark complexion better ditch their light blue shirts and stay home.

  14. Anonymous says:

    RCIP, the law provides for you to make checks on individuals that you are unsure are being a productive member of Society eg. have a means of income & a fixed place of abode.  They can be charged for being A Rogue & A Vagabon, amongst other things.  THIS NEED TO BE DONE URGENTLY.

    Please considere this when you see young, middle & old persons just roaming (they call it walking) the streets DAY OR NIGHT. I know you will discover thare are many persons that have no fix place of abode, check it out, some of them are even on bail, and this is by choice (they prefer to roam around (they call it sleep over at friends place) and drink, smoke (legal & illegal drugs) and party.  In order to live this life, they Rob, steal, be lazy & lie.

    PLEASE ENFORCE THE LAW IN RELATION TO IDLE & UNPRODUCTIVE MEMEBER OF SOCIETY- THE LIFE YOU SAVE, MAY BE YOUR OWN.

     

    A very concerned hardworking citizen

     

     

     

     

     

  15. Caymanite says:

    Disgusting pig to attack and traumatise a woman. Would have loved to see what happened had a big man come into the store – makes me sick. Wonder how he would feel if someone did that to his Mother? Or Sister? Or daughter?

    Anyone can be tough when they are holding a gun or a knife, I am 5ft 1 tall but I bet you that if I had a gun pointed at you I could make you do anything I say………….

    Why are people dragging this island down so? Once these sort of things start to get out to tourism sites and the such like we are screwed. Tourists will go elsewhere.

  16. Anonymous says:

    What a Shame!

    Our beautiful Grand Cayman seems to be losing its "Culture". Known to have been a place of peace & tranquility is now a mirror reflection of some of our neighbours. I remember 20 years ago we said "Oh no, look whats happening there in that Country, that will never happen in the Cayman Islands". When you think about it 15 years ago was not that long ago, what has happened to our "Beloved Islands"….GREED!

    And that is all I have to say & pray that we learn to do better & remember where we came from "Humble, Caring, Peaceful, Family & Community Spirited".

  17. Anonymous says:

    This case can be solved by tracking the number in which the robber asked to be "topped-up".