Crime Stoppers Cayman has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for tips leading to an arrest and charge for gun-related crimes as Cayman logged its 12th firearm-related robbery for the year early Thursday morning.
A total of 17 robberies have been recorded over the last four months, police said on Thursday, in response to Cayman Compass queries.
With the exception of January, Cayman has registered multiple robberies per month since the year began.
Detective Superintendent Peter Lansdown, responding to concerns over the rising numbers, told the Compass that the police recognise that any increase in robberies, particularly in armed incidents, is cause for concern in the community.
However, he said, “Our teams are diligently working to identify and prosecute those involved, as we have done previously in response to similar increases. We are also continuing to proactively seek out and recover illegal firearms, which may be used in the commission of robberies.”
Commercial premises targeted
Police said the majority of the robberies logged in the last four months have been of commercial premises with the firearm-related incidents committed with weapons described as handguns.
Police said no serious injuries have been reported in the commission of these robberies; however, three people have received minor injuries.
“We encourage the public to continue to assist us with providing any information they may have on these incidents or persons involved, as we continue to work together to keep Cayman safe,” Lansdown said.
The latest robbery, Thursday, 1 June, occurred at 1:20am at a restaurant on Lawrence Boulevard in George Town.
Perpetrators not found
In that incident, two people armed with firearms went to the restaurant and demanded cash from the register, according to police. The perpetrators, who made off with a quantity of cash, drove away in a vehicle heading towards West Bay Road.
Police said armed officers conducted searches and a vehicle believed to be involved in the incident was recovered as evidence.
Further checks were made; however, police said, the perpetrators were not located.
Lansdown, commenting on the incidents, said police will continue to evaluate and adjust proactive patrol strategies “in order to disrupt these activities, while also ensuring that we are able to respond immediately when incidents do occur”.
He pointed to Thursday’s incident as an example, saying officers were able to recover a vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects “which is being forensically processed as part of our investigations”.
Police have asked that anyone with information call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS on its confidential tip line at 949-7777, or via the police website.
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