Westmoreland duo arrested for armed robbery in St Bess

WESTERN BUREAU:

A teenager from West End Road in Negril, Westmoreland, and a lifeguard from Little London, also in Westmoreland, are now in police custody in St Elizabeth facing robbery and gun-related charges. The charges stem from an incident in which they reportedly robbed a business place in that parish early last month.

The teenager, who is believed to be a seasoned robber, was not named by the police because of his age. However, his alleged accomplice has been identified as 23-year-old security guard Fitzroy Hasting.

St Elizabeth leads all parishes in the county of Cornwall in the number of robberies since the start of the year.

According to reports, on the afternoon of May 7, at approximately 3 p.m., Hasting and the teen entered the business place and after walking around for a while posing as customers, pulled handguns and accosted the business operator, demanding money. The business operator complied, handing over an undetermined amount of cash. The duo then stole several iPhone and Samsung tablets.

After the robbery, the two reportedly fled the location in a Toyota Axio motor car, which was seemingly waiting on them. The matter, which included the description of the robbers and the getaway car, was reported to the police.

Just days short of a month after the robbery, the police reportedly spotted a Toyota Axio motor car which matched the description of the car that was used in the robbery. The occupants, Hasting and the teenager, also matched the descriptions that had been given of the two robbers. Both men were taken into custody and the vehicle seized.

Following an identification parade, Hasting and the teenager were positively identified. They were arrested and charged with robbery with aggravation, possession of a prohibited weapon, and using a firearm to commit a felony.

In recent months, St Elizabeth has been viewed as a haven for gangsters fleeing justice in the parishes of St James, Hanover and Westmoreland. Some of these gangsters have reportedly become the mastermind behind the spate of robberies plaguing the parish. Between January 1 and May 26, St Elizabeth recorded 28 robberies, two less than the comparative period last year. However, this year’s is much higher than that of Westmoreland (15), St James (10), Hanover (6) and Trelawny (2).

Superintendent Coleridge Minto, the police commander for St Elizabeth, has been warning migrating criminals to stay away from that parish, declaring that there is “no safe haven” there for them. He further noted that, once these culprits are identified, they will be tracked down and arrested.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.c