Robber strikes at MoneyGram in George Town

| 26/11/2010

(CNS): Updated 8am Friday – Police officers have now confirmed that an armed robber struck at a local mini-mart last night (Thursday 25 November) in George Town. The MoneyGram store in at Meringue Town, Boilers Road, was targeted by a lone gunman. Armed with a handgun, he threatened staff and customers at the money transfer counter at around 7:40pm. After taking an undisclosed sum of cash, the robber made his escape on foot towards Walkers Road, witnesses said. Although there are no reports of injuries or shots being fired, police said the victims were badly shaken in the incident. (Photo courtesy of Cayman27)

The offender is described as a young male, approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall, wearing black long sleeve shirt, dark black gloves, blue jeans and black shoes. He spoke with a Caymanian accent.

A police spokesperson said, “This was a frightening and disturbing incident for the cashier, who was threatened with a handgun in order to obtain cash.” At this stage it is not being disclosed what monies were stolen, the police added.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or information to George Town CID on 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477(TIPS).

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  1. nys_best says:

    For far too long you Caymanians think you’re better than everyone else in the world, and don’t have to deal with real life issues.  Well, wake up your financial Ponzi scheme dam is showingcracks.  The country produces nothing of value, you have no natural resources of great values, and England is about to fall on its face.  Financial regulators all over the world is plotting to brake the backs of the folks that hide money on the island to prevent paying their fare share of taxes.  To top it off your country is becoming hostile to foreigner/foreign investments.  It’s sad but the only one in the country that seems to understand what is taking place is Mac.  Warning: people will try to survive by any means necessary…  I only hope I don’t get caught in their survival crosshairs.  Crime control has to start with job creation, and not policing.  If Cayman is going to move forward we MUST attract foreign capital.  It’s only a matter of time before those mansions on the water will be their next target.  Then the rich will begin to feel unsafe….Those people with the financial resources will begin selling those mansions to escape the island.  No one wants to be the one left holding the bag… That 2 million dollar mansion is only worth what someones willing to pay.   So, monitor the sales of those mansion and their falling prices for the exit.  Don’t get stuck holding the bag….          

  2. pop a top again says:

     wow thats a lot of cash man just to warn you the police will catch you and they know you criminals who you are just a matter of time for them to get you and hope they make you suffer enjoy that money and dont spend it in one place 

  3. Anonymous says:

    One thing that runs through all these robberies – no one ever sees where they go, what car they are in, or gives any information even when the press release comes out.  You ask the impossible – all the police have to go on is they were masked and left on foot!  Get real, information solves crimes, and no one wants to speak out it would appear.  They are not going to commit the crime with the police outside are the place.  Beats me how no one saw someone with an Obama mask leave Butterfields – like they became invisible outside.   Stop blaming the police, people do get arrested!

  4. Anonymous says:

    "$20k?…nice…….easy money…

    seriously though, what type of business would have $20k behind the counter…ready for the taking?"

    I thought the article said undisclosed?  Where did you find $20K?

  5. Anonymous says:

    I don’t blame just the police…they are feeling beat down by the lack of support in the courts.

    When armed robbery gets you onlya few months behind bars…the cool factor for these kids out does the fear of prosecution.  For the police to make any headway the courts have to also wake up and smell the coffee or should I say the manure that’s growing these criminals.

    .

  6. Thankful Again says:

    Is this where I say: I told ya so.  These patterns are as clear as day.  One very huge robbery and a series of small robbies to fustrate process and overshadow the big one and get people’s mind off of it.

    Of course our police continues to say words like: "unplanned, no connections, no stake outs, public come forward".

    This no success rate to catch and convict any of these robbers is atrocious.

    The zeitgeist of the RCIPS Comm. seems to be buried in the big city UK mindset: this must be commonplace.  Well sir, I will respectfully say: the robberies in the country is unprecedented and in the last 1 1/2 – 2years (UNDER YOUR WATCH), your XX "big city" approach is not working.  Will you please try proactive policing.  Good old stake outs in strategic points will yeild results if planned.  Sir, we need to catch some of these people red-handed.  Otherwise, these guys will continue to think they will get away!!

  7. CC rider says:

     I did not want to say these words but i think it is time captain Baines and his little crew head North, time is up. This is not working too many promises and a few little changes to the RCIPS, but crime is really getting worse.

  8. Captain Crunch says:

    Yes we have more Governor appointed councils and task forces and committees than Quakers have oats in our grand Police services the specialist abound, when what we need is "Policemen" to do Police work not Law School students furthering and enhancing their careers to move into the private sector and senior Gov’t positions. This has led to a serious inability to deal with crime , which continues to decline annually, leading our Police service to employ more and more foreigners who’s agenda & loyalty to this island and its residents is very unclear and some what dubious. I have personally seen serious instances of really terrible attitudes and disrespectful behaviour towards both local and the resident community. And then after serious criminal events or situations they are asking and pleading for information and assistance from the same public. The lack of confidence in the police is at a very serious point only our well safe politicians same to be okay with it.

  9. Christmas Time says:

    One person took that chance? Gutsy!

    Such close proximity to the Police Station, apartment complex with many households next to meringue town plaza (increased chance of witness)and to then to flee using walkers road at 7:40pm when you have a fair amount of traffic on the road.

     

  10. Anonymous says:

    The police have lost control of the crime?? You are spending way too much time watching C.S.I. The police force could be 1000 strong and still be unable to be at every spot at a given time … these few criminals know this (it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out) and hence pop in and out of these establishments and make off with the days winnings… seldom will any employee challenge them (at least not for the $5./hr wage being earned) and who would blame them. So the robbers know the routine and plot accordingly.

    I for one am proud of the RCIPS… they are not perfect, far from it, but I do see them making changes and results are at hand.

    Keep at it RCIPS !!!

  11. Anonymous says:

    The criminals are running wild. This is just the start with the season coming in now. There are far too many Caymanians involved with crime. A gang culture has been allowed to take hold and now is a part of the make-up of our people. This has nothing for the most part to do with surpression of our people, but a lack of proper up-bringing. Give a Caymanian a chance…..please spare me. You are just giving these guys an exuse to commit a crime.

     We are paying the price for the poor parenting that has been given to these kids for years. You will not stop this over night. Drugs are ruining the community. They have taken hold now. A criminal way of life has taken hold of all types of crimes. We have imported criminals also, but they are not at large to blame for these crimes.

  12. Anonymous says:

    The only response to the crime wave from our useless politicians has been to get for themselves bodyguards and chauffeurs and 8′ high fences at our expense. Saying that these politicians and their cronies are soft on crime is the understatement of the month. 

    None of us will be safe until this useless lot are gotten rid of and new blood which is willing to protect the people are brought in. That does not have to be in 2 1/2 more years. We can make it happen now.

  13. Anonymous says:

    If any business keeps $20,000 (or even half that) in a till behind the counter and not in a safe / lock / drop box, they are being arrogant to the problems and not helping themselves.  To add to the potential target issue, they are open late – why do they not have protection inside. 

  14. Anonymous says:

    If you were an unarmed member of the RCIP and were 1 block from a location where an armed robbery was taking place would YOU race to the robbery location to confront an armed robber?

    I wouldn’t.

    • noname says:

      I would run too!  Seems like we have more idiots on the blogs than sensible people.  Thought the blogs are to impart good sensible information but Noooooooo! not here.

    • Twyla Vargas says:

      You know 0757, I think a bit different. If there is an armed robbery in process, I feel that a police officer should immediately proceed to a crime scene if he is in the area or anywhere closeby, even if it is to hide around the corner or across the road, of the building an observe.  Maybe he will get lucky and get some first hand information and may even get a glimpse of a getaway car, direction it is heading, persons, clothes etc.   

      The police do not necessarily have to rush to the scene with a gun to be of assistance.  Its while he is rushing there as the number one man getting to the scene, he calls for Backup, Backup, observes for information, and waits for his backup team.  Makes sence to me..

  15. Delores Clearborn says:

     The Police have lost control of crime i have never seen the lack of confidence in the police so low as it is now. We have appointed all these Arm chair warriors who live in fairy tale land who’s financial interest/agenda is their first priority their political affiliation and loyalty is abundantly clear as is their level of incompetence. They and the police high command have no strategy whatsoever looking forward to high profile criminal events to Shine and bask in media press conferences. Truly sad Cayman

    • Twyla Vargas says:

      One thing that I do not understand is why the police is being blamed for these crimes.  If I can critize the police and say they have lost control, then I should be able to do their job better. I should be in a position to lay out a floor plan of interest for them to follow,instead of critizing for critize sake.   I would think that instead of suggesting that the police have lost control, we the complainers  come up with a better plan. 

      Many time we do not think outside the box.  If a crime takes place this moment, how can we truly expect the police to be there at the same time to stop it.  It does not happen in the USA, Canada or Jamaica, so why are we looking for it to happen here.

         I really do not think we are being fair and showing enough support for the police, after all who else do we have to look forward to.  If your child  is doing his very best in school, and every day he comes home to the same old, "You are not doing good enough, you are not going to be any good anyway"  He will get sick and tired of it and remembers it for the rest of his life.  Show some support for the police, after all who else do we have to press bricks and turn corners while we are sleeping..

      • justiceserve says:

        I strongly agree with Twyla.  The crimes cannot be solved if the public do not inform the police when they see or know of the culprits.  Looks like most bloggers write without thinking – I’ve never read so much stupidness in my lifetime. Please think before writing!

         

    • Anonymous says:

      The goodness of the Caymanian people has also fallen to all-time lows, since the crimes are not committing themselves, so the total failure of the police has provided an opportunity, or maybe even an incentive, for the criminal element of the people to boldy strike.

       

  16. Anonymous says:

    $20k?…nice…….easy money…

    seriously though, what type of business would have $20k behind the counter…ready for the taking?

    • Amazing says:

       I dunno, maybe a money transfer business? I’m just saying…..

      But where did you get that figure from? I don’t see any amount mentioned in the article…

    • ANONYMOUS says:

      A moneygram business maybe!!!!!