Two charged in jewel heist

(CNS): Two men have been now been charged in connection with the New Year's Day robbery at Diamonds International in George Town, police confirmed Friday evening. The two men who were arrested in the wake of the daylight hold-up following the intervention of several members of the public as well as the police commissioner have been charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit offence and are expected to appear in court on Monday 6 January. Four men were arrested in direct connection with the harbour front jewel heist. Police said that a third man remains in custody and a fourth has been released on bail as the investigation continues.

Police have still not confirmed the details of how the arrests occurred but it is understood that David Baines, the police commissioner, was in the area at the time and assisted in apprehending the suspects by running at least one of them down. Local taxi operators and other members of the public were also involved in the arrest but RCIPS officials have still not said how the public helped.

Officers also noted that the charges relating to the firearm may change once the weapon seized has been tested and police said that at this stage they cannot confirm if the gun recovered was capable of firing.

Meanwhile, a suspect opportunist thief who was arrested after he grabbed a number of jewels during the chaos following the robbery remains in police custody pending a legal ruling on the matter. A second man who was also arrested in relation to that offence for handing stolen goods has been bailed.

The RCIPS is appealing to any person who may have witnessed any part of the robbery or the theft, including the subsequent arrests of the suspects, to contact Detective Inspector Joseph Wright at 516-8169 or by email at joseph.wright@gov.ky.