Concern over ‘unsavoury’ robbery trend
The Bermuda Government is being urged to prioritise tackling an “unsavoury trend” of robberies which has seen nine small businesses targeted in the past 15 weeks.
Six of the nine incidents since Boxing Day last year saw staff threatened with either a knife or a firearm, and four have taken place in Pembroke.
All but one of the incidents saw the suspect escape with cash from the earmarked store, restaurant or gas station.
The exception, in which a robber was chased out of Empire Grocery store in Devonshire on January 12, is also the only incident to date in which a conviction has been secured.
Fifty-year-old Bernett Colin Simmons received three years in prison after pleading guilty to the crime.
Walter Roban, Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, reiterated his desire to introduce broader CCTV coverage to the island — urging the Government to treat this as a “high priority” issue.
He told The Royal Gazette: “Economic exasperation brings about desperation, and unfortunately people are going after small businesses, which don’t have the same level of security and are therefore seen as easier prey.”
Mr Roban also spoke of his concern as to the human cost of the robberies.
He said: “Property can be replaced and repaired, but it’s difficult to repair the emotional trauma that the victims of these crimes go through.”
Paula Clarke, who represents the retail division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, said that BCC members had discussed how to tighten security procedures following the spate of robberies.
She also welcomed the input of the Bermuda Police Service, and encouraged officers and store owners to maintain close contact to ensure a free flow of information.
“This unsavoury trend has not gone unnoticed by the retail sector,” Ms Clarke said. “Retailers are proactive in this field and will continue to look for new ways to protect their employees and property.”
Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said that an arrest had been made in one of the eight other cases, and that all remaining robberies were still under investigation.
He added: “Store owners are encouraged to consider measures that make their business premises safer and reduce the chance of being targeted.”
Regarding the island’s CCTV network, he said that it was used “on a daily basis” and had proven helpful to numerous lines of enquiry.
“Additionally, Government has provided funding in the 2016/17 budget to expand the network to include the Dockyard area and the town of St George’s,” Mr DeSilva added.
Stores requiring crime prevention and safety advice can contact BPS Community Action Teams in Hamilton (tel: 247-1727), Southside (tel: 717-1709) and Somerset (tel: 717-1735).
Anyone with information on any crime can call police on 295-0011 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number on 800-8477
December 26, 2015
A knife-wielding armed robber steals cash from Four Star Pizza in Warwick during a 6pm raid on Boxing Day.
He receives an undisclosed sum of money and flees the scene on a motorcycle, escaping a police chase.
The bike is later recovered for forensic examination. No one is injured.
January 3, 2016
A masked thief slips through the back door of KFC in the City of Hamilton at about 11pm and orders a staff member to lay on the floor, before making off with cash. No one was injured.
January 12
A man in a black helmet attempts to rob Empire Grocery on North Shore Road, Devonshire, at 1.20pm with a 7in knife.
However, the store’s owner hits a panic button, while a customer begins hitting the criminal with grocery baskets until he flees on foot along Tribe Lane towards Long Ridge Pass.
Bernett Colin Simmons, 50, later receives a three-year prison sentence after admitting his guilt in court.
January 21
Two armed robbers steal cash in a raid at the RUBiS gas station in Flatts.
The men brandish a gun before escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash in an easterly direction on a light-coloured motorcycle. Staff are reportedly shaken but no one is injured.
February 1
A robbery at the Esso Tiger Market in Hamilton Parish leaves a gas station worker in hospital.
At about 8pm, a man riding a dark-coloured motorcycle pulls up at the site and demands money from the female cashier inside a service kiosk.
After she gives him an undisclosed sum of cash, the suspect runs over the woman as he escapes. She is taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
February 9
Two gunmen wearing motorcycle helmets burst into Island Spice restaurant just before 9pm.
The duo demand cash from staff and then flee the scene on a motorbike with an unknown quantity of money. A female cashier is left badly shaken.
February 15
A robber enters Arnold’s store on St John’s Road, Pembroke, shortly before 9.15pm and forcefully gains access to the cash register while a cashier is completing a transaction.
The man, who does not brandish a weapon, leaves with an undisclosed amount of cash.
March 13
Police are called to Pasta Basta restaurant, City of Hamilton, after an armed robbery at about 10pm.
A man in a red mask brandishes a suspected firearm and demanded money, before escaping with cash and riding off on a white motorcycle.
March 24
Two men rob T&L Budget Warehouse at gunpoint at about 1.50pm. Staff hand over an undisclosed sum of money to the men, who escape from the St John’s Road, Pembroke, store on a black motorcycle and head towards North Shore Road.
A few hours later, armed police surrounded a house in Deep Dale in connection with the armed robbery. Two houses are searched, but no one is detained.
