Emergency crews were put on standby at Bermuda International Airport yesterday when a pilot reported technical problems with his cargo jet.

Despite the alert, the International Bonded Couriers (IBC) chartered plane landed safely and it was later established that the trouble was nothing more than a faulty warning light. It was on its regularly scheduled delivery flight to the Island.

The first sign of problems was reported just after 1 p.m. from the pilot of the Boeing 727, which was flying in from Teterborough, New Jersey with three crew members on board.

"The pilot had an indication in the cockpit that his nose wheel was not locking in the down position and an emergency was declared which saw everyone stand by," explained Department of Civil Aviation director Ian MacIntyre.

"He did a fly-by over the tower at the airport and air traffic control confirmed that the nose wheel was down and the plane then landed as normal at 1.35 p.m. A faulty 'gear-down' light was the problem."

Among those mobilised as a precaution were fire crews from the Clearwater and airport stations.

An elderly American couple visiting the Island were robbed of a handbag on Tuesday morning ? just yards away from the entrance to their hotel.

The 67-year-old couple were on foot approaching Cambridge Beaches in Sandys when the woman felt her handbag being pulled off of her shoulder as a motorbike passed them close by. Two men were on the black motorbike. The purse contained $40 in cash and personal items.

The men could only be described as wearing dark coloured clothing with black helmets on the black motorbike.

The woman was not injured during the incident. Police are currently investigating the matter.

And tourists in a Paget guest house reported a breaking and entering after a man entered their room.

The couple said that around 11.45 Tuesday night they were awaken by noise in their room and saw a man rush from the room. Inquiries into the theft of $40 are underway.

Police have issued a renewed warning about illegal motocross riding on Government property.

Officers continue to receive reports of bikers breaking the law, particularly on beaches in the Chaplin Bay area and at public parks.

A Police spokesman added: "The motocross track at Southside is the only designated venue where individuals involved in the sport are permitted to ride their cycles."