2014 starts well for Baines

(CNS): The New Year has started well for Police Commissioner David Baines after a royal award was followed by a high profile arrest of suspected robbers and his unexpected hand in rounding them up. The RCIPS has confirmed that Baines was involved in the arrest of four men on Wednesday morning following a daring daylight hold-up at Diamonds International but officials have not said what the commissioner did to assist in the arrest. However, sources have told CNS that he may have used his own vehicle to stop the robbers escape and in the process hit one of the suspects, who is now believed to be in hospital.

Baines received an OBE in the New Year’s honours list for services to police in the Cayman Islands after four years at the top of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service during a time of rising crime.

Following two bar and restaurant robberies, the jewellery store heist was the third armed robbery across the holiday and the arrest of four suspect robbers was well timed for the commissioner but it has not been stated why he was in the area at the time of the robbery. Baines was not the only player in the arrest of the four men, as several members of the public also assisted.

"I did my job – it’s as simple as that," Baines said about his undisclosed action. "I only did what I would expect any officer of the RCIPS to do; however, today once again demonstrated the great community spirit in the Cayman Islands and the selfless acts we see time and time again where members of the public step forward to stand up for what is right. Without the brave actions of those exceptional  people, today, we may not have effected such quick arrests in connection with this crime." 

The men arrested in connection with the robbery are from George Town and aged between 22 and 32. the police also recovered of a quantity of jewellery and a firearm a short distance from the store in the wake of the robbery and the arrest.

A fifth man, aged 48, was arrested after trying to steal jewellery in the chaotic aftermath of the robbery. Police do not believe he was involved in the robbery but entered the store after the hold-up and grabbed the valuables. 

Anyone with information about this crime or who may have been in the North Church Street area since 7:30am on Wednesday 1 December 2014 is asked to call 949 7777 or 800 TIPS to remain anonymous.