Witnesses chase down robbers

| 02/05/2011

(CNS): Police have confirmed that two men have been arrested and a firearm has been recovered following an attempted robbery at Blackbeard’s liquor store in Grand Harbour on Monday afternoon. The two armed, masked men entered the store around 3:15pm but the staff refused to open the till so they suspects ran off, only to be confronted by two members of the public outside the store. Police said that during the struggle with the suspects the witnesses managed to grab the shotgun. The would-be robbers then discharged pepper spray at the men before running off into Selkirk Drive, where they disappeared into bushes. The local men, however, gave chase and followed the suspects and detained them until the police arrived. Sources told CNS that the men used necessary force to keep hold of the suspects as they waited for officials.

An RCIPS spokesperson said the arrests were made some seven minutes after the initial call to the police and no shots were fired, and despite reports to the contrary, no one was injured in the incident.

Anyone who was in the area and saw the incident take place or the suspects running from the scene should contact George Town CID on 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers 800-8477 (TIPS).

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Crime

About the Author ()

Comments (79)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Tungi says:

    The police are as good as the public they serve..They rely on information supplied by the public. Of course there are occasions when mistakes are made" those without sin cast the first stone"

    So slagging them off really is an indication of how unreceptive the public are..It is well know that this close knit community  in Cayman close ranks when its there beloved little "Johnny" robbing and stealing.

    Untill everyone stops pointing fingers and supports the RCIP in beating crime then this situation wont improve..Lets face it I know first hand people who know their siblings are drug dealers and burglars and they just turn a blind eye.They in my book are as guilty as the perpetrators.

    Not getting off the subject Charles and Edward..congrats you are truly outstanding and should be saluted

  2. Anonymous says:

    Well done, great job by these two very brave men. We now have two less robbers on our streets to destroy the Cayman Islands which we all know and love.

  3. Anonymous says:

    If the majority of Caymanians had the guts these two have, they would organise a march on the Legislative Assembly and DEMAND that this stupid law regarding not releasing apprehended suspects names and photos to the public be changed immediately.

    In Cayman, everyone knows everyone else and many of these crimes would be solved in short shrift…

    Patheitc, these police are…

    They have two robbers caught red-handed by members of the public and they’re still asking for help to find the driver of the getaway car…

    What about rounding up these two wanna-robbers’ known friends and associates and grilling them until something gives…

    That’s how proper police work is done…

    Do they need Charles and Edward to do that for them too ?

    This action by these two brave Caymanians should shame many others for their own cowardice in not taking on the politicians and police and forcing them to do their jobs of making Cayman a safer place to live.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Well done guys. You put the RCIPS to shame. They can only catch a cold. Cant see any police officer doing that, but run the opposite direction. There may have been one or two inside Hurley’s shopping with the police car parked on yellow lines to save them from walking from the parking lot (see it numerouis times)

    RCIPS take note, when citizens get fed up with your inactions they will take actions.

    I too hope these guys get recognition, it was nothing short of brave..

  5. Anonymous says:

    For you young folks, Charles and Edward, Navy Seals that took out BL is what heros are made of.
    Semferfi

  6. Sea Breeze says:

    I believe in awarding these two fishermen. However, to reward them with CASH, could be sending a wrong message. It may encourage vigilantaism – where private individuals start putting the law and punishments into their own hands. Not a good idea.

  7. BORN on the REEF!!! says:

    thats right guys show them that unna run tingz on the sea and on land !!!!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Talk about outstanding gallantry, Charlie and Eddy surely represent just about the best we can be. I do hope to see some kind of Queen’s award conferred on them by the Governor. What they did just takes your breath away!

  9. Anonymous says:

    Let’s not forget the brave staff who refused to hand over money & be robbed. They did well too, looking down the wrong end of a gun; real bravery there too, as well as the excellent members of the public.

    • Anonymous says:

      Those persons who chased down those robbers should begiven a medal, sorry they did not s—t their backsides off. Newsance.

    • Maverick says:

      here we go! Finally. the vigilantes have taken over from the utterly hopeless RCIPS. For gods sake cayman, a vote of no confidence for Baines immediately!

       

       

  10. Anonymous says:

    CNS – please confirm – the 200+ thumbs up on the congratulations offered to these brave men has to be a record. These men deserve the thanks of everyone and I am glad that the readers on CNS are showing their appreciation even if the politicians and the business community don’t.

    • tr says:

      Actually it was 300+ – a statement that was made about Kurt Tibbetts several years ago

  11. Anonymous says:

    Within the Grand Habour complex there is a school with children from years K – 12 and many of these kids stay after school to hang out at the skate park. I am just glad the robbery took place after school got out and the robbers did not run towards the park!

  12. Anonymous says:

    These Robbers ran into the wrong two persons. "Don’t mess with fishermen and thier Rum", they man handle Marlin, Tuna all the time, a teenager is just like handling a small Snapper..

    Congrats too Both of you for catching these guys.

  13. Jonathan says:

    Well done Charles and Edward, we know you did this for free and that it is for us all that we have to stem this tide of criminality. I hope they do not make you wait for three weeks to testify like I had to go through. All the best and God bless the Cayman Islands.

  14. Jolene says:

    This story has me grinning from ear to ear; THANK YOU to Charles & Edward for standing up for all of us and putting action to thought. So many people say what they would do IF… and so many people in fact do nothing.

    When faced with a weapon the best course of action is generally to back down, but obviously these guys looked at the situation and believed they had the upper hand – thankfully they were right!

    These civilians got criminals and a weapon off of our streets. Cayman is grateful & I stand behind these two heroes getting public recognition AND a financial reward for their actions. What say you RCIPS? Crime Stoppers? – it’s the least we can do!

  15. Ctroy says:

    Citizens having to act is this not how it always is with over 500 officers what a shame this is what Cayman has been reduced to. We need to take back Cayman from this criminal element and useless police service.

  16. My 1 cents worth says:

    I say the RCIPS needs to employ Charlie and Eddie without delay and IMMEDIATELY elevate them to rank of Superintendant as they both have the cojones and intestinal fortitude to pursue these cowards, known as criminals.

  17. Anonymous says:

    THANK YOU to these individuals!!!!!!!!! You make the good people of the Cayman Islands proud!

  18. Anonymous says:

    this is the only way the police can cathch anyone!! we have to do it ourselves. Ever had them come over and take a statement from you? they look like kindergarden kids writing and trying to spell what you are trying to explain to them!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      U think thats anything, Yesterday at George Town Police Station I saw a Police car parked blocking the entrance of the front door and people had to step over the sidewalk to enter the building and mind you i saw High Ranking Officers do it too, You would think that they would have had the car moved immediately,Oh by the way i have a pic of it.

  19. Anonymous says:

    I think you will find police were on scene quickly, they then had to find the heroes and suspects who had all run off, and that all happened within 7 minutes.  Good job everyone

  20. Anonymous says:

    There names and where they from should be posted

    • Anonymous says:

      There? Did you mean “Their…”?

    • Stiff-Necked Fool says:

      But look yah BoBo, you can trouble anything else but don’t mess withmy liquor shop, no sah!

  21. Anonymous says:

    Two more national heroes to be added to the list ! Charles and Edward. Enough said !

  22. Anonymous says:

    Great job!!!! this is what needs to happen!!!!!! The public say screw that no more crab will happen on our watch!!!!

  23. Anonymous says:

    Well done to those guys. Hope we can find many more like them.

  24. Anonymous says:

    At last we now know that there are brave and courageous men in Cayman !!!

  25. JimminyCricket says:

     Great news, the message needs to be sent to criminals out there that the public at large will not sit back and let them ruin the good reputation and safe environment of this island. All store people should refuse to open any cash registers for the crims guns or not. Soon enough they will realise there is no profit to be made via armed robberies.

    V for Vendetta!!!

  26. Anonymous says:

    Mr Dart,

    Please give these brave gentlemen a reward!!!

    • Anonymous9 says:

      What?!??!!!
      WTH are you on about? What does Dart have to do with this?
      Am I missing something?

    • Anonymous says:

      Agreed. Come on Dart, step up to the plate with some $. It’s not like you ain’t got it like the rest of us. It was your store these courageous Caymanians protected.

  27. Anonymous says:

    I hope the Police, the Government and Hurleys come together and give Edward and Charley a monetary award, as that will serve their heroic actions better than a medal.  Well done guys.  Perhaps KYD5,000 or more should help them out.

    • Anonymous says:

      I hope every business in the Grand Harbour area come together and donate a handsome sum of money as a reward to these two yourng men who acted on behalf of all Caymanian. I do agree with them that we have to work to obtain money to meet our need not go with with to hold up businesses. We need to act on this kind of crime instead of leaving it all up to the police.

    • Anonymous says:

      What about a statue of Charles and Edward at Grand Harbour

  28. Anonymous says:

    According to the statement by the Police it took them seven minutes to respond. How long does it take to get from the Police station to Grand Harbor? Maybe its time to form a citizens force to patrol the Island.

    • Right ya so says:

      Although not a huge supporter of the police force at the moment on the side of fairness it does take about 6 minutes to get from the Prospect roundabout to CNB on Elgin Ave on a Sunday with no traffic at a speed of btwn 40/50mph. So taking 7 mins to respond is probably about right – make the call, take the call, process the info, get the info to the officers, get the car to the robbery – makes sense.

      • Anonymous says:

        The police can only use their flashing lights and sirens for doughnuts?

    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t see anything to LOL about this.

  29. cowboy says:

    Heroes!  And I bet they will get not a cent for it – but they will pay police officers bloated salaries to sit behind the desk and do nothing!

    • Anonymous says:

      Ask not what your country can do for you,but what you can do for your country,This is our country we need ti stand up.

  30. Anonymous says:

    Thank you, thank you, thank you guys job well done ! Its about time we get these men off the streets !

  31. Anonymous says:

    Please allow me to add my thanks to these fine brave men. If I had my way these brave citizens would be given a parade and medals for their courage. They are heroes.

    We, as a community need to send an immediate very loud and very public signal that this is the type of behaviour that we as a community value. These are the real men. These are the people that work hard for the bread on their tables. These are the men we should look up to and not the scum gangstas that rob and destroy our community. 

     

  32. Anonymous says:

    Excellent work!  We all need to take a lesson from these brave individuals who have had enough of these low life scum!

    Criminals – people are sick of your worthless existance. You are a waste of good oxygen! 

    "WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT. NO! WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT… WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!!" Twisted Sister.   HA HA HA!!!

  33. Anonymous says:

    About time these idiots ran into someone who had had enough and was prepared to do something about it.  Sincere thanks to the two who put themselves at risk to make a dent in the rampant crime that has changed these islands for the worse.

  34. Anonymous says:

    Good catch Capt. Charles and First Mate. Run Things.

  35. Right ya so says:

    Thank you brave men xoxo

  36. Big Shiny Ones says:

    Awesome that unarmed citizens can chase and apprehend armed criminals and succeed without injuries or escape. Maybe they can give lessons to those other guys…

  37. Mike Hennessy says:

    I love happy endings!  I’m glad that the civilians had the courage to act and the wherewithal not to become casualties themselves. I am not in favor of vigilante action, but I am not about to tell anyone that they shouldn’t take action to protect the community and uphold law and order.  I just would urge folks in a similar situation to do their best to measure the risk and try to calculate the danger they are putting themselves in as well as the possibility of endangering others.

    • Dennie Warren Jr. says:

      I agree with you generally, but for the sake of absolute clarity, what those two heroes did yesterday is not "vigilante action".  In Section 37(15) of the Police Law (2006 Revision) and in Section 66(1) of the Police Bill 2010, which was passed by the LA, reads: "Any private person may arrest any person who in his view commits an arrestable offence…", however, "vigilante action" is action which is unlawful.

  38. Anonymous says:

    Go dey Charles!!!!! A Big Thank You from everyone who lives here!

    • Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

      We need more heroes like Charlie and Eddie. Congrats the two of you honest gentlemen!

  39. Shock and Awe says:

    Meanwhile:

    The long-awaited Governor’s Commission on Crime has filed it’s report. The report is to be examined by a committee. The committee will be appointed by another, as yet to be determined, Super Special Commission. The Super Special Commission will be formed from various members of other committees. Following consultations a select forum of

    congratulations to these citizens and thank you

  40. Michael Ebanks says:

    I hope the police give these good citizens a medal. good job locals.

    • Anonymous says:

      Give them a job! 

      • Anonymouse says:

        Just because you are a fisherman doesn’t mean you need a ‘job’. Fishing IS a job. Not everyone needs to work in a bank. Not everyone works to buy material possessions to fill their lives.

        But thanks for the sentiment

    • True Blue says:

      Isn’t it unfortunate that it has come to this? Citizens must pursue armed men? Remind me agian why we need the police; please?

      • Dennie Warren Jr. says:

        No, it has always been this way, it just that those who ignore history are unaware of the fact that we need private residents and police officers to effectively fight crime.   Hopefully the top brass in the RCIPS will discouraging private residents from doing so, including by means of firearms.

        The next time the use of a firearm maybe necessary to stop the robbers… actions, the main question you need to answer correctly before finding yourself in such a situation is, do you lawfully own a firearm and is it easily accessible?

         

    • Anonymous says:

      Of course they will.  I like the necessary force bit!!  Good on you

    • Anonymous says:

      Who are the citizens in this situation?

    • Anonymous says:

       Smart Guys!!!! I personally feel like these guys would make good Cops. In fact they should be offered jobs with their Cayman Island Police Force. I have said over the years that you could look over the entire Cayman Islands and find some very very smart Caymanian Boys and train them. Just look at what Mr Nixon did with the Fire Department, you have some of the smartest Guys working there.

  41. Anonymous says:

     YAY!!! thats 3 robbers now caught red handed…..NOT an alleged situation….hopefully we will get names and pictures…fingers crossed…police..I don’t see any reason to protect the identities…. this needs to be taken care of and criminals need to be outed!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      police stopped giving out names because of political interference….not good for a politician to have relatives’s name in the paper for crimes…..

    • Anonymous says:

      Its good to see people finally growing some cojones.

      I’d never advise anyone to put themselves unnecessarily in harms way or to ever underestimate the danger of a person weilding any kind of weapon, especially a firearm…

      But courage can win the day sometimes.

      A weapon makes no one invincible and most of these criminlas carrying guns in Cayman have really never fired a weapon in their lives…

      Kudos for the guys who decided to give them a run for their money; at least the right guys won this time around.