View Central GT robberies in a larger map
Six robberies and one attempted robbery occurred in central George Town between 11 August and Monday, 5 September within roughly a one mile radius.
All but one of the cases involved robbers hitting a local business, in all cases the suspect or suspects involved were reported to have used a gun. No one has been injured thus far, but in at least one case a shot was fired during the course of the robbery.
The latest incident happened Monday night when a busy George Town gas station became the latest target of armed robbers.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said the two robbery suspects who hit an Eastern Avenue Texaco on Monday night were wearing what appeared to be police jackets.
According to a statement from the RCIPS, the suspects were “two men, both wearing black masks, black jackets with ‘POLICE’ in white lettering and gloves.”
Both suspects were described as being around 5’5” tall. One had a handgun, the other held a machete, police said.
RCIPS officers said two men entered the gas station’s convenience store around 10pm.
Police said the suspects threatened store employees before taking cash and the store’s register with them. They were last seen heading toward School Road, officers said. No one was hurt during the robbery and no shots were fired.
Other stores robbed
A popular George Town waterfront restaurant located in the heart of Cayman’s downtown tourism district was hit by armed robbers late Thursday night.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said two masked men entered the Casanova by the Sea restaurant around 10pm on Thursday – one of them brandishing a handgun.
Officers said the suspects demanded cash and then fled once they were given some money. They were last seen running toward the Rock Hole area, which is located just east of the restaurant.
No one was hurt and no shots were fired in the hold up, police said.
Again, both men were dressed in dark clothing and wore masks and white gloves.
A fashion store on Shedden Road was robbed on 29 August by armed men who witnesses said pulled up in a grey Honda Civic. Both men appeared to have firearms, according to a store clerk.
The suspect description was quite a bit different in the Shedden Road robbery; both suspects were described as having slim builds and were both between 5’8” to 5’10”. Both were brown skinned, wore gloves and had black T-shirts wrapped around their faces.
The day before the fashion store robbery, 28 August, police said a man was robbed on Heather Street around mid-day for his jewellery. The two suspects were both reported to be armed in that case as well and described as shorter – around 5’3”.
Mary Street incidents
On the weekend previous to the Shedden Road and Heather Street robberies, two businesses on Mary Street were targeted by robbers.
A shot was fired during a robbery of Uncle Clem’s grocery on Mary Street (located behind the Domino’s Pizza) on Saturday, 20 August, but no one was hurt.
RCIPS officers said a man armed with a small handgun entered Uncle Clem’s grocery shop behind Dominos Pizza on Mary Street just before closing around 9pm on Saturday. Police said the man fired a single shot into the store ceiling, grabbed a bag with an undetermined sum of cash and ran out of the shop.
A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery shortly afterward.
The shooting came less than 24 hours after a man brandishing what appeared to be a handgun outside a Mary Street convenience store was turned away by alert staff members. Royal Cayman Islands Police Service officers said the armed man tried to enter Solomon’s Grocery on Mary Street around 9.40pm Friday, 19 August, but the store owner locked the door before he could enter.
Police said the gunman threatened the owner, but eventually ran off when his demands for cash were not met.
Crime spree time line
11 August: Auto parts store robbed around 9pm by two armed suspects.
19 August: Would-be robber foiled at Solomon’s Grocery. Heist attempted at 9.40pm.
20 August: Uncle Clem’s grocery robbed around 9pm by armed suspect who fired a shot.
28 August: Man robbed at 12.45pm in street by suspects who took gold chain and bracelets.
29 August: Fashion store robbed around 7.15pm by two men who pull up in a grey-coloured Honda.
1 September: Casanova By The Sea robbed by armed suspects around 10pm.
5 September: Texaco convenience store robbed at 10pm. One suspect armed.
Click the image below for the interactive map of George Town robberies.
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The question I ask repeatedly is, WHEN WILL THE GOVERNMENT RESPOND? When will the Premier speak about the crime problem, or take any action to slow it down? When will the MLA pass any new laws in reaction to it?
During the last year of escalating crime, the government has done nothing. No new procedures from the RCIPS. No statements from the Premier. No special sessions of the Legislative Assembly, and no new laws passed to address the problem. Instead, there is bickering and name calling, politicians taking out ads in the paper to accuse each other of improper audits, name calling on radio shows. But no mention at all of the crime problem, and certainly no suggestions on how to fight it.
There are plenty of simple steps that can be taken:
1) change sentencing requirements — any crime committed where a firearm was present gets a mandatory 25 year sentence, and crime committed where a firearm was discharged or where someone was injured (whether by the firearm or not) gets a mandatory 50 year sentence. The criminals will have to think twice about an armed robbery if they get 50 years for someone tripping and falling and spraining an ankle.
2) incentives for turning in a criminal. If you provide information that results in a conviction under the above guidelines, you get a 50,000 reward. Everyone always complains that the public needs to do its part — if someone is going to betray a family/friend, make it worth their while, and make the criminals realize that people will be looking to betray them if they commit a crime. In fact, add another incentive — if you participated in an armed robbery and turn in your co-criminal, you get a 50,000 reward and immunity from prosecution. Make these criminals turn on each other. If they are so desparate for money, they’d certainly betray another crook for 50,000. And even if they escape prosecution, their name is released to the public and they are forever branded a criminal.
3) Increase police visibility.
Last night I drove from South Sound through George Town up to West Bay at 9pm. Do you know how many police officers or police cars I saw on that drive. None. Where are police patrols? Why is there no visible police presence, especially in the middle of a crime-spree?
These are simple changes that cost no money to implement, yet send a serious message that crime will not be tolerated. At the very least, they will make a criminal think twice about the consequences of their actions before committing an armed robbery.
The CCTV system is on the way, and that seems to be all the government has up its sleeve. It seems the crooks have already figured that one out: wear masks. If that isn’t enough to avoid CCTV, the criminals will simply switch to home invasions (where the CCTVs don’t monitor) instead of robbing stores or commercial targets.
During tough times, people look to their government for leadership. It is sad to see news about robberies in the paper, day after day, and to never see any response from the government. This is not a week-long crime spree that we are witnessing. It is a two-year long crime spree. And there has been no government response to it, no change in laws or policies, no increase in efforts.
If people want this problem to stop, they must spur the government into action. Call or email your MLA, or call/email the office of the Premier, and ask them what they are doing to fight the increase in crime. Maybe if enough people call, we will finally see some action.
When will the CIG respond you ask ? They answer is they will respond when it directly effects on of them such as a family member business colleague or close friend is robbed or it totally destroys Cayman Tourism. Unfortunately by then it will be too late as the damage has already been done.
I wonder if these guys might er live in Rock Hole…….! Just a guess. Maybe time for some undercover work for the police?
Using logic it seems pretty obvious that the center of these business robberies (exclude the man being robbed as it is a completely different M.O.) is the Rockhole Rd. area. Get what ya can and run home!!!
Is there any wannabe gangsta on Rockhole Rd who happens to be 5 foot 4 inches tall?
Great work Compass!
Crime detection such as CCTV isn’t effective anymore as the robbers uses mask. Crime deterrrent such as increasing the penalty would not work either as criminals always think they are uncatchable. I think business establishment should focus more to crime prevention by examining their customer at the entrance in the following order a.) knock the door first (or doorbell) before opening the door, b.) no I.D. no entry policy, and c.) use metal detector for screening.
DonQuixote — no disrespect, but your suggestions seem absurd. A restaurant is going to make people show ID to get in, or knock on the door and wait before entering? How can any business do that without making its customers feel unsafe? And aren’t the people standing outside waiting to get in as they are carded easy targets?
And metal detectors? Are you suggesting that before being allowed to enter a store or restaurant you should have to go through a metal detector, like at an airport? Should you have to remove your shoes and belt as well? What if you have change in your pocket?
All of your suggestions miss the obvious fact that the person with the gun will not be turned away by a metal detector — he will just point the gun at the screener, walk through, and rob the place. If a robber does show up, there is no one on hand to deal with them, and the metal detector is meaningless.
If this island gets to a point where I have to show ID before entering into a store or a restaurant, no one would visit, and everyone would leave.
Again, no disrespect, but think through what you are suggesting.
It appears as if this handi-work is being carried out by the same people… and there are others who know who they are! If you know who these people are, turn them in, report them, DO SOMETHING! Every media report continues to say that no one was injured or hurt… but guess what? Evryone who resides in these beautiful Cayman Islands are being hurt by these stupid and inconsiderate acts.
Your country had a surplus in revenue this year from what I’ve read. As someone else mentioned offer a reward for information that leads to the capture of the people involved. Your island is small and you need to protect everything about it- culture, safety, beauty, people and economy. I would think someone would eventually surface with valuable information. Also increased police presence and advice from the US could help, especially in the case of Kerran. I visited your lovely country last August and have been monitoring the story about Kerran. Both my wife and I pray for her family and safe return.
We’re planning to return to your country but I don’t want to be worried about someone wanting to take my camera gear or threaten my family on one of your beaches. I’m sure eventually this will be in the past. In my opinion e crimes look like the work of the same people. Keep the pressure on your govt officials to resolve this matter. Make a difference.
What is the legal position of shopkeepers/people who are liable to be attacked by these armed robbers, in regard to possession of firearms? Can they get licences? If not, why not? The law says that one may use appropriate force against force; particularly, if firearms/knives threaten innocent people, why can they not arm themselves to protect themselves?
Look at a recent case in the UK, where a shopkeeper aged 72 (yes 72!) was set on by 4 (yes! FOUR) armed men, and he managed to protect himself with a knife,and in so doing killed one of the attackers. The UK Crown Prosecution service has stated it will not prosecute the shopkeeper. He should be given an award, far more deserving than some of the brainless artists, singers, comedians etc who regularly figure in the UK Honours List.
I hope Mr Premier Bush will suitably recognise in the National Hero category the first Cayman shopkeeper who displays courage of this order. Because that man/woman will stand as an example of the national willingness we must show in order to stop the ridiculous situation we now have, where criminals can do what they wish, and there is no apparent political will to stop the rot.
I can’t believe that Steve McField is in another media forum blasting the good governor for defending our Auditor General! is this attorney for real?
I mean, defending a guilty as can be client in court is one thing but now he’s on his way to the UK with his mouth asking to reduce the powers of the good governor to increase more powers of the premier? again is this man for real? Havn’t we suffered enough with the premier doing as he pleases and representing only big business and people are getting killed, robbed, women pistol whipped and not quint out of Mckeeva nor his Ambassador Steve McField, so that speaks volumes for what they think of us doesn’t it?
NO NO NO STEVE. MORE POWER TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE AUDITOR GENERAL.The hands of the governor is all the Caymanian people have to hang on to and now Steve you want to sever his hand? Shame on you indeed?
Steve,
What’s wrong with the I.D.? Criminals are vulnerable to identity and that’s one of their major barriers to commit crime. It’s not a big deal to me and I even voluntarily show my driver license to cashier whenever I’m using my card.
If your concern is the queuing customer, the risk of getting robbed outside the establishment is lower than the risk of getting robbed inside. Criminals would love to commit crime out of prying public eyes.
Metal detectors? It will prevent the robber of getting his arm inside. If you think the robber would just point a gun to screener and get inside freely, you are completely wrong! The robber’s objective is to get the money as fast as they can from the time they pointed a gun, remember the screener is not a cashier so the robber has to get inside and look for the cashier , do you think one or two minutes disruption would not help? one more thing the gunpoint begins at screener’s area which is at the front door, this is a no no to the robber as I mentioned above they love to get out of public eyes.
I’ve read some really funny comments here on this serious topic but this one takes the cake LOL!
A couple of gun-armed robbers going into a business to rob it are going to be stopped by someone scanning them with a metal detector and asking for their IDs ?!
That person is probably going to get beaten over the head with their guns and taken at gunpoint into the business as a hostage, to persuade those inside to hand over the cash a little quicker.
And which foolhardy person would want such a job?
Those roles are now performed by unarmed security officers in some businesses in Cayman and a fat lot of good they are in foiling an armed robbery;the wise ones scamper like hell when the gunfire starts, as anyone would.
Why the old Drug Task Force under Derek Haines was so effective is that those officers had real ties and respect in the community; a lot of them were Caymanian police officers who people trusted to pass on information to and…
Everyone and his grandmother knew that those police officers on the DTF would put a bullet in you if you as much as winked, when they were either questioning, searching for or arresting suspects.
I guarantee you, if Derek Haines, Shaun Ebanks, Charles Bush and co were hunting for these robbing criminals today, the GT Hospital emergency room might be populated by a few shot-up punks, their parents and families might be crying ‘police brutality’ and complaining to their politician and paster and whoever…but…
The robberies would STOP, guaranteed.
What Cayman has now, as a police force is laughable but only as laughable as the type of government now running the country.
I am most certainly that a number of concern citizens have asked these questions of concern:
1-What are the local police doing in regards of all these robberies?
2-There is no one that can give a prototype of the robbers to concentrate the investigation around a circle of nationalities?
Caymanian and government immigration directors, all lets wake up and promote something to exterminate this corruption, because is jeopardizing the only good source of economy the island support- the tourism. Don’t introduce anymore expatriate without a secure job permit! For Heavens Sake. Can you read between the lines.
3- Do not give anymore extensions to people that just do not have a job (or steady legal job)
4-Can you people are aware that this is the problem in Cayman and or any country with lack of employment. Too many unemployment and too many unemployed individuals out there. The system have got to stop procrastinating with their responsibilities
and the police should stop parking under trees to catch up with the small rabbits. Go hunt for the big one that is killing the future of the good reputation of the CAYMAN ISLANDS. BOZOS
First, nice article and a timely summary.
Second, to follow-up on the comment regarding CCTV being unable to identify people due to masks etc. Street CCTV is not for ID but to be able to roll out police as and when incidents are in progress, as they can see what is going on and where the suspects are heading whether on foot or in cars.
If you want to ID someone, high quality CCTV (eg within a premises) can provide information enough for a forensic ID even if someone is wearing a mask as long as you have a good image analyst.
The crime situation in Cayman can now be considered as a way of life. It has become obvious to the public at large that both law enforcement and the government cannot or are not willing to implement the right measures to eliminate this cancer from our society.
In reading reports on crime I simply say, what else is new these days, or, here we go again! Apparently the comments, letters, observations, and suggestions pertaining to crime that appear in the papers by concerned residents seem to be a waste of time.
May the good Lord have mercy on us and help us!!!
Are you kidding me…they had police jackets – time for an internal investigation into the police force…mabey there are some loose wires plugged into the force!
Editor’s note: There is no evidence that real police officers were involved in this robbery.