Robbers stole jewellery after smashing a display case in a St George’s store yesterday.

Three men burst into Vera P. Card on Water Street, damaging the case with blunt instruments, before making off on foot with a number of items at about 11.30am.

One man was quickly arrested in connection with the robbery, while police continued to search for the remaining offenders yesterday afternoon.

Business owners reacted angrily at the latest in a series of thefts in the Olde Towne. Jeff Baron, the Minister of National Security, responded by saying nearly $1 million would be invested in CCTV, with local MP Kenneth Bascome raising hopes for a police presence being placed within the post office.

Carmen Furbert, a member of staff of the Salt Spray Soap Factory, located across from Vera P. Card, said she was in her store when she heard glass breaking. She saw several frightened tourists running out of the shop, which prompted her to run in the back.

“I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know what these boys were capable of,” Ms Furbert told The Royal Gazette.

“When I saw them getting ready to run out of the store I went outside and went next door. We are all just shaken up.

“It’s ridiculous there is no police station in this area. Anything could have happened in those five minutes before the police came — somebody could’ve been shot, stabbed, anything.”

David Zuill, the owner of David Rose Jewelry, said he was fed up with a lack of protection after being a victim to the same crime twice himself.

“I strongly believe that the same guys have been hitting the shops in this area because every time, a day or two before the robbery, the same ones come in looking for chains,” Mr Zuill said. “I sell high-end jewellery so I don’t usually get people in here looking for that. It’s very suspicious.

“We’ve started to upgrade our security because I noticed a pattern. Yesterday, five guys came in asking the same questions. I had a strange feeling in my stomach on Tuesday night that something was going to happen. I don’t feel safe anymore. We have zero faith in the police, zero faith in the Government for not having more patrols.”

Speaking at the scene, Mr Baron said: “Presence is the key here. Whether we can build a police station or identify a place for police to occupy, what is clear is that the presence is the major demand and I support that.

“These are crimes of opportunity. This Government has been very clear about wanting to close those opportunities down. We’re about to make a $900,000 investment in technology for the town of St George’s with regards to CCTV. That is going to close down opportunities for this type of opportunistic offending. We are also going to be making investments again looking at the policing plan, increasing patrols to St George’s as well so that there is increased presence.”

Mr Bascome, a former Mayor of St George, said: “I’ve had some words with the new minister in regards to a police apparatus. The police station is infested with mould and I’m under the impression that we can use the top of the post office. After this, my people will be convinced that we need to put a police apparatus in the Town of St George.”

Mr Baron added: “The men and women of the Bermuda Police Service have provided highly professional service to this community and I want to recognise that in the midst of these events.

“Strong responses to incidents where the loss of life has occurred have been swift and investigations are already beginning to bear results. Enforcement is only one part of the response to incidents of this kind but the community can be confident in the Bermuda Police Service and their commitment to bringing offenders to justice.”

•Witnesses or anyone with information should contact 295-0011