The head of Cayman Crime Stoppers said a reward could be offered after the armed robberies of two takeaway food restaurants on successive nights.
The news came as a spokesman for Al La Kebab appealed to the public to help track down the robber and said “that would be the best thing for the community”.
Travis Danley, the chairman of Cayman Crime Stoppers, said a process had to be followed to offer cash for information, including gauging the seriousness of the offence and obtaining approval of the organisation’s board.
Danley explained, “There are different variables that are considered, such as if there is a firearm involved.”
He declined to put a figure on the double crime, believed to have involved the same man, but said that an incident such as a murder would rate the $50,000 maximum Crime Stoppers can offer.
But Danley said, “Armed robbery is going to be a significant sum.”
He was speaking after he move came after a man, unmasked and carrying what appeared to be a handgun, pistol-whipped a member of staff at the Al La Kebab kiosk on Lawrence Boulevard shortly before 10pm on 28 April. The robber fled with cash and a mobile phone. The injured man declined hospital treatment.
A food truck in central George Town was hit the night before by two men, one armed and neither wearing masks, who struck at the premises on North Church Street at about 11.30pm.
They stole cash from the register and from an individual at the food truck at the time.
No one was injured in the incident and the two fled the scene.
Police took the unusual step of releasing an image of a man they wanted to interview in connection with both incidents.
The Al La Kebab spokesman said “Everyone’s upset. It upsets the team and we can’t afford that. Nobody can.
“It’s a different time in Cayman and we are very sad to see these things happening.”
But he said he had no complaints about the police response and that the company was “very much a believer” that the police were doing everything they could to combat violent crime.
He added, “There is not a lot they can do when somebody has a gun. Even if they had a police officer on every corner, they wouldn’t be armed.”
The spokesman said he was pleased to see that the police had released an image of a suspect.
He added, “I am hoping that will work to solve the problem and that he found and arrested. That would be the best thing for the community.”
Police earlier warned that the man may be “armed and dangerous” and that anyone who spots him should not approach him but contact police immediately.
Police also appealed for anyone with information on the whereabouts of the man or have any other information that could help detectives should contact George Town police at 949-4222.
Tip-offs can also be passed on through the police website, the confidential tip line at 949-7777 or anonymously at the Cayman Crime Stoppers website.
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“Police took the unusual step of releasing an image of a man they wanted to interview in connection with both incidents.”
Pictures should be released EVERY time. No privacy for criminals.
No police bail for serious offences.
50 years these islands were so safe that people didn’t lock their doors. Let’s catch and lock up those that make this impossible.