Robbers escape after shoot-out with police

| 04/03/2018 | 126 Comments
Cayman News Service, armed robberies

The getaway vehicle for the armed robberies, a stolen burgundy Honda CR-V

(CNS): Police are on the lookout for the suspects in two armed robberies that took place Saturday night within half an hour of each other apparently by the same men, one at a convenience store in George Town and the other at a restaurant in Bodden Town. Police said that a firearm was seen at the first crime and a shot was fired at the second. The culprits were seen leaving both locations in a stolen dark red SUV, but as they were being chased, they abandoned the vehicle and escaped on foot.

The first robbery took place at the Rollin Convenience Shop on Seymour Drive, George Town, just before 10:50pm. One masked man entered the shop during the first robbery, brandished a firearm and demanded cash. The robber apparently made off with some money.

Cayman News Servic, armed robberies

The getaway vehicle, a burgundy Honda CR-V

The second robbery took place at the Czech Inn Restaurant on Bodden Town Road around 11:15pm. Two masked men entered the restaurant and again took some cash. Police have confirmed that a shot was fired at the restaurant during the robbery, and a man present was sprayed with what is believed to be pepper spray. He was assisted by police after the incident and was not seriously harmed.

The police said that only one firearm was seen during the course of the two robberies.

The robbers were seen leaving both locations in a dark red SUV. The RCIPS said that officers quickly responded to the incidents and spotted a vehicle answering this description on Hirst Road after the second robbery.

They signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it sped on. Police followed the vehicle to a location on Victory Avenue, where two men in the vehicle got out and fled on foot. The men then fired at police, and officers returned fire. The men escaped from the area. No officers were injured.

A K9 officer quickly deployed to the area, but lost the scent of the men near a swampy region nearby.

The burgundy SUV, a Honda CR-V, was recovered by police. It has been confirmed to have been stolen earlier in the evening prior to the robberies.

“What occurred last night were intolerable acts by persons with a reckless disregard for our islands,” said Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton. “It is extremely important that anyone with any information about these robberies, or who may have seen this vehicle earlier in the evening before the robberies, reaches out to us however they can, even anonymously.”

Detectives can be reached at the George Town Police Station at 949-4222, and anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at Crime Stoppers call centre in Miami free-of-charge at 800-8477 or online here.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tags: ,

Category: Crime, Police

Comments (126)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    Which man can save his brother’s soul?
    Oh man, it’s just self control.
    Don’t gain the world and lose your soul
    Wisdom is better than silver and gold –

    Zion Train – Bob Marley

  2. Casey says:

    Unfortunately I don’t see the island getting any better. Let us face facts, the big hotels and shops that Dart is building, who do you think are filling these positions? We are importing people from every nation with their cultures and you did not expect this to be the outcome? Wait until the Premier’s 100,000 population growth transpires.

    15
    13
  3. Anonymous says:

    I support our police force 100% and appreciate all they do, but they should be f-ing embarrassed that theives would feel confident robbing a restaurant literally 0.2 miles from the Boddentown police station.

    29
    4
  4. Anonymous says:

    Thankfully those officers were able to return home safely to their families. Don’t forget the human side to this.

    14
    7
    • Anonymous says:

      The officers returned home just because the criminals actually have minimal shooting abilities.

      Do you think this will ALWAYS be the case?

      ONE day, the criminals will have great aim and will not miss.

      S.W.A.T. (Special weapons and tactics), where are they?

      • Anonymous says:

        Great aim or dumb luck. The results will be the same.

      • Jotnar says:

        SWAT too paramilitary for tender British sensitivities. Plus they tend to be used in static situations – raids, hostage situations, high risk warrant service. This was a mobile gun fight. Mind you, if we had a more aggressive search and seizure policy on suspected firearm or drug possession they would certainly come in handy – a little taste of CS and flash bang in the wee hours may make all those would be gang bangers posting social media pics of them holding guns or drugs appreciate that there should be consequences to their actions and lifestyle.

  5. Cayman Concern says:

    SO WE NOW HAVE BRAZEN CRIMINALS. They shooting at officers – whats next?!

    I don’t know folks, but I hope the LA have a solution. Not just the same old rhetoric. This is a threat on the entire community! And using FORCE with FORCE may just ignite and enlarge a fire

    9
    1
    • Shhhhhhhhhh. says:

      People here just do not get it. Elected politicians here have absolutely no policy or operational control over security matters. That authority rests entirely with the Governor’s Office, so please stop bashing our politicians. They are as frustrated as the rest of us.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Yep, gay marriage is definitely the priority as it regards “good governance” of the Cayman Islands at the moment.

    Whatever would we do without such astute leadership?

    12
    3
  7. Bertie :B says:

    This was planned out , they knew where they where going when time came to escape , unfortunately for the island , this small amount of money will only last a couple of days , they Will be back for more , it worked once, and in their mind it will work again . All small business operators best be prepared . Another car will be stolen within days and these guys are coming back. They must have their fix !

    21
    2
    • Fiatcoin says:

      The fix for these and any other fool is money. Start valuing real things and humane qualities that posses virtue.

    • Anonymous says:

      Some of those cars are only said to be stolen after they are caught or the vehicle is identified. Let the owner of the vehicle be more responsible. Any excuse is an poor .EXCUSE

  8. Anonymous says:

    It’s easy people to criticise RCIPS when you didn’t witness the pursuit. We don’t want to be shooting everywhere and need to consider the safety of the general public as well as the officers. If some innocent bystander was accidentally shot by RCIPS, which can easily happen, you would all have a field day criticising these officers. Can’t do right for doing wrong comes to mind. Please don’t even think of allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry to be allowed firearms. We need to eradicate the unlicensed firearms here without adding more to the mix. It solves nothing…….only more bloodbath!
    Let’s bide our time, these criminals will be caught, their time on the run is limited. Someone knows who they are and will eventually spill the beans. Dig deep into that conscience of yours people and ring the hot line. You could be their next victim.

    27
    12
    • Anonymous says:

      Times have changed. If they shoot the police return fire. Should they just hide behind a coconut tree and hide. I think not.

      11
      1
  9. Anonymous says:

    They bailed near home, you can bet on that.

    36
    1
    • Anonymous says:

      So when you get a permit no finger prints are required I think it is Time….

      28
      2
      • Jotnar says:

        Explain how it would make a difference in this case? No indication that prints were found, or any evidence other than your assumptions that the gunmen were on a permit as opposed to home grown criminals like the majority of those convicted of illegal firearm possession, or gosh, people who entered the country illegally.

        10
        4
      • Anonymous says:

        Isn’t finger printing done for drivers licence too? It should.

    • Anonymous says:

      Probably, prospect is the new ghetto.

      • Anonymous says:

        One could argue Prospect has always been ghetto!

        Just that nobody paid any mind, now the shit has hit the fan. Oops.

        1
        1
    • Anonymous says:

      Home? Jamaica….

      3
      4
      • One love one heart says:

        Jamaica is 45 minutes away on a plane ride and has been the topic of everything that is bad, I’m wondering why people can hate a land of wood and water for no reason that makes any sense, you’re mind is so dirty, I think you need prayer and God in your life, how did Jamaica became part of this topic? Did the news mention that the robbers were Jamaicans ? You’re comments are so stupid disgusting and illiterate.

  10. Anonymous says:

    People you don’t get it. Police showed up. Alert enough to see the vehicle. Engaged said vehicle. Followed vehicle until the suspects bailed, at which point other units took over the chase. Great job RCIPS.

    46
    8
  11. Anonymous says:

    2.0 liter clapped out 1996 Honda outruns unna 5.7 L Hemi Charger ? No Bobo…No….

    42
    4
  12. Cayman Mirror Image says:

    We were told by our uk police leadership they are here to REFLECT the diversity of the community we’re were told the same thing by our unity political leadership If you don’t like the REFLECTED criminal image you now See Cayman you have to change the leadership.

    12
    4
    • Jotnar says:

      So you think the criminals are UK nationals? Otherwise your REFLECTED comment makes no sense.

      Unless of course what you really mean by “they” is the oft repeated mantra about Jamaicans in the RCIPS, in which case a) explain how you know that the gunmen are Jamaican b) even if they are, explain why that makes any difference to the composition of the police force – you surely cant be alleging that just because a criminal is from a certain country any policeman from the same is automatically suspect of colluding with said criminals ?? That would not only be hopelessly bigoted but think of the ramifications – we should have no Caymanians in the RCIPS either – in fact we (and every other country on the planet) should recruit our police force from counties that don’t reflect the demographic of the population.

      5
      8
      • Cayman Safe says:

        Keep drinking the oversweetened Koolaid by your cubbyhole Jotnar and you will soon get a wake up call. Let me write it out for you UK takes care of UK nationals Jamaicans take care of Jamaicans you twist it the anyway you like Fact is our police force does not need to be filled up with foreign nationals As far As bigots are concerned they did expand here till you put unnah friggin crusty toes on our white sand and started this class system. Finally it is pretty obvious that this anti Caymanian propaganda about Cayman not being able to deal with their own is rubbish. It obvious this foreign crime agenda is totally bogus and crime strategy is a scam to get money out of government.

        8
        4
  13. Narcisso Clarke says:

    A police service with only Caymanian mouth pieces is very in affective?

    8
    16
  14. Anonymous says:

    I wish RCIPS were as insistent and persistent chasing these armed criminals as they were with a 8 months pregnant woman who committed no crime.
    Did they vanish in thin air? How in the world they escaped?

    19
    25
    • Anonymous says:

      They knew how to find a pregnant young woman who had an arrest warrant though.

      I guess she posed no threat.

      The police do seem to be afraid of the hardened criminals. This is not comforting at all to us citizens.

      2
      3
  15. Westbaya says:

    Imagine how bad things would be if the premier hadn’t reduced gun crime by 60%!?

    34
    3
    • MI6 in Paradise says:

      The Premier is a muppet that talks a good game but does nothing look at his track record. The campaign promise to reduce gun crime by 60% reduction is one example of his empty words. He is a stooge for the FCO who sells out Cayman to stay in power. In the UK his code name is Super Grass.

      12
      6
  16. Roscoe p Coltrane says:

    Had police dealt with the first Honda theft almost 2 years ago this s$&@ won’t be going on,but corruption amongst the foreign filled police still agwaan inna this ya place. it time to replace the UK leadership now too they brought this foolishness on us with their colonial economic strategy

    14
    35
  17. Anonymous says:

    waiting for the first anti-Police post on this despite what appears to be a very serious attempt at catching them.

    23
    4
  18. Anonymous says:

    I’m not sure what the point of downplaying the threat to only one firearm achieves – one is plenty. RCIPS shouldn’t be loosing anyone on an island this small. It seems there are only one or two patrol cars on-shift at any given time (although that number is rarely sighted). With only a couple cars on any given shift, the RCIPS lack a tactical response capability to box-in fleeing robbers or bikers. All the radios in the world won’t change that. If it is impossible to spare more than a couple of our 400+ shift-addicted RCIPS officers at any given time, maybe we need to have the desk-bound officers flying police drones from their air conditioned HQ, that way they can keep pace and loiter until one of the operating vehicles can show up. Current recipe isn’t working.

    24
    4
    • David S. says:

      Wait, aint this one of the crime scenes where police helicopter works along with RCIP marked cars or detectives on the ground along with the K-9 dogs to catch escaping armed robbers? come on somebody lets talk!

      15
    • Anonymous says:

      It when they have had large responses to incidents then people complain that to many patrol cars are on one assignment. You can’t win on this rock. No matter how it’s handled the police are criticized. Let them do there job already.

      9
      6
      • Anonymous says:

        “Their” public duties are not even close to being carried out. Payroll of 400+ on the public’s gravy wagon!

        1
        1
  19. PPm Distress Signal says:

    We cannot arrest,imprison and spend our way out of this terrible criminal position. We have to clearly change our demographics and we can only do this by comprehensive immigration policies and changing and replacing this foreign run unity government rubbish and its leadership. Deportations is working elsewhere why not here???

    34
    11
    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      It’s quite simple. We cannot deport those born here, who likely comprise a significant portion of those who commit crimes.

      Look around you, no matter which of the three islands you live on; times have changed and not all of our Caymanian folk are productive. Some folk have bills paid by the government (which means, really, you and me and all of those who work) and still inhabit that zone on the fringe between legal and illegal. Why do we allow it? It’s our money being spent. Why not require more accountability for those fringe folk?

      Understand, if a person is truly disabled, then the State (the people) should pay for their maintenance. However, if a person is able-bodied, but chooses to fritter their life away on booze and drugs and lazing about, they should be required to show proof they are trying to get work.

      I myself have never, in all my life, in any of the myriad of places I’ve live, had any difficulty finding work, and I could do so today were I not already employed.

      This is the crux of crime, in my opinion. Criminals who choose to steal instead of working for their maintenance. My sense of it is that we’re not always talking about addicts stealing for their fix. I think mostly, we are talking about lazy cowards who don’t have the balls to be a responsible man.

      Regarding what is required to change it? Allowing us to defend ourselves would go a long way toward cutting down on crimes. The criminals hope we continue to not allow firearms, because they are the only ones who can get them.

      I love my country. I hate seeing us spin our wheels in the same direction as other countries. We can fix this, if we suspend our ambivalence and pull together in meaningful ways.

      Thanks to the RCIP, who continue to fight with the limited tools allowed them. Much respect.

      5
      1
  20. Anonymous says:

    Well that’s not very nice now is it?

    8
    6
    • Anonymous says:

      Absolutely not pleasant dear chap. One will seriously have to consider investing in a secure compound. Or have my man hunt them down. Trouble with having my man doing that is that who would clean my shoes?

      3
      4
  21. Anonymous says:

    If they had fired shots at cops in the United States, those cops would not have given up the pursuit until they caught them.

    53
    • Westbaya says:

      until they caught *and killed* them.

      49
      2
      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, that would be the better outcome and save the public having to support hail sentences

        10
        1
      • Anonymous says:

        “Caught and killed” is fine by me if you’re brazen enough to shoot at cops. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!

        • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

          Sadly, I agree. Sad only because we’ve come to this point. I never want the police to risk their lives unnecessarily. If there are shots fired, all bets should be off.

          I once thought I wanted to join the RCIP. I have been to war, but can’t imagine the sand it takes to (usually) face criminals armed with only (maybe) a taser.

          I’m all for arming RCIP officers AFTER extensive training.

      • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

        You’re mostly right, however, consider police making arrests in the U.S. in the bayou, or in mountain areas with heavy timber…… criminals could get away.

        Thank God we still have native bush in Grand Cayman, but it does make for a quick getaway for someone who knows the turf. I don’t know it, but I suspect this is what happened.

    • Anonymous says:

      A missile launcher on the helicopter would be a good investment at this stage.

      34
      2
  22. Anonymous says:

    CRIME RATE goin be sky high by summer not asking… telling …GIVE US CAYMANIANS Good PAYING JOBS

    18
    55
    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, because when I’m not paid well I decide to rob places.

      47
      10
    • Westbaya says:

      Get off your ass and earn a well paying job, you entitled POS.

      63
      10
    • Anonymous says:

      You sound like a real dummy

      20
      2
    • Anonymous says:

      How about you go and earn a “good paying job” you moron

      36
      4
    • Anonymous says:

      I believe the Civil Service is looking for an expert in unnecessary capitalization. Send in your application.

      19
      2
    • Anonymous says:

      8:35am. Crime will increase because they allow too many permit holders to flood the island with their children. Let them stay at home. Too many freebies during summer that they bring them to get as much as they can.

      14
      18
      • Anonymous says:

        Govt
        Need to be harder on the criminals , make jail a place of hardship and punishment and then they will never want to go back.

    • Anonymous says:

      I smell a hairy troll

      2
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      @8:35: Spoken like a true criminal.

      2
      2
    • Anonymous says:

      Caymanians (like any other group of people) need to earn good paying jobs….and yes, I am a Caymanian too.

      4
      3
    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      You would threaten your people? Blackmail them with better paying jobs or what?? You will steal? Rob homes? Stick up tourists? Maybe knock somebody in the head?

      The hell with you. You’re no Caymanian soul. A real Caymanian would stick it out, make the best of it, work hard for their family and hope for the best.

      Piss on you and your shitty attitude. Man up. Be responsible. Be a credit to your country.

  23. Anonymous says:

    So I guess anyone who saw someone coming home after 12 in muddy pants and shoes should probably be calling the tips hotline,,,

    44
    1
  24. Anonymous says:

    When a vehicle is stolen a txt message should sent to all cell phones islandwide to allow everyone to be on the lookout. Reading about it a day or two later is useless.

    50
    3
    • Anonymous says:

      You want more people looking at their phones whilst driving? No thanks…bad enough as it is…yesterday lunch time a tourist bus driver, with tourists on it, driving north up West Bay Road on his phone and in the middle of the road…WTF?

      8
      16
    • Anonymous says:

      That’s a great idea. In fact, any serious crime should go out by text. Any thing in progress especially.

      In such a small place, the results could be very significant.

      PSA ****
      ALERT: Robbery, marina drive BOLO vehicle description, perp description.
      Text tips to: ***-**** or call.

      Excellent idea, and cheap.

      And let the public have access to police freq so we can buy scanners that work.

      16
      4
      • Anonymous says:

        Great Idea
        Next we can sell costimes for vigilante justice
        We might even be able to use the old bat mobile from the car museum

        We will form the Justice Leauge of Cayman

        6
        3
      • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

        Agree. Most of us are connected. The police should be able to issue a BOLO text. Hell, we get lots of spam from Flow. Might as well get something useful.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Very organized criminals. To catch them, the RCIPS needs to be the same.

    27
    1
  26. Anonymous says:

    Our Penal Code is not fit for purpose. It is a joke and these criminals know it. One change we definitely need is to do away with concurrent sentences for violent criminals. In this case these criminals, assuming that they are in the small minority that ever get caught and convicted, should serve at least 10 years for the first robbery followed by at least 20 years for the second robbery followed by another 25 for trying to kill police officers. Under our current law all these offences would be rolled together and they will be back on the street in a few months at most. Our current law is ridiculous.

    30
    2
    • Anonymous says:

      The laws only matter if:
      1. Bad guy gets arrested
      2. Evidence compels DPP to proceed to formal charges
      3. Jury selection (if necessary) and Trial proceeds
      4. Conviction is made
      5. Sentencing achieved

      The above far too often gets derailed beyond step #1. Your surname, your MLA, and other factors that shouldn’t matter, can make a big impact on steps #2 & 3 in the Cayman Islands. Many surrendering red-handed criminals featured in these columns never proceed beyond step #1.

      18
      2
  27. Anonymous says:

    When will our politicians change the law that now requires violent criminals to be released when they have only served a fraction of their sentences? Maybe only when someone is shooting at them?

    15
    2
  28. Anonymous says:

    i live near patrick island, man that area the wild wild west??? but i commend the police for doing a great job?☺

    14
    5
    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      Well said. These little kudos that cost us nothing, are too few for those who deserve them.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Right in front of you !!!
    And you still lose them ???

    25
    1
  30. Anonymous says:

    “They signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it sped on. Police followed the vehicle to a location on Victory Avenue, where two men in the vehicle got out and fled on foot. “

    I don’t understand WHY they always escape when there is nowhere to run. And why RCIPS didn’t try to stop the fleeing car with rows of nails called stop sticks?

    Can someone enlighten me please?

    27
    2
    • Anonymous says:

      I saw a car chase in broad daylight, waterfront, cruise ship passengers everywhere. I’m assuming they escaped too.

      13
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      The guys had guns. I bet you would not go running into the dark chasing a guy with a gun.

      4
      4
      • Anonymous says:

        Police had guns too … read the artocle again. And how do you fight in a gun fight, surely not with a knife ..

  31. Anonymous says:

    Gun shots fired what’s next? People killed is what.

    17
  32. Hail me. says:

    “The police said that only one firearm was seen during the course of the two robberies.”

    Our Premiers 60% cut in gun smuggling in effect. You see it would have been two guns instead of one.

    11
    3
  33. Anonymous says:

    Anyone with knowledge of these individuals and that harbors them is also guilty as sin.

    32
  34. Anonymous says:

    Employ the people who know the terrain, and listen to them. Why chase robbers if you are not allowed to take them down. Poor policing from the TOP. See this happenining in the US, only in Or international Police Service.

    11
    1
  35. James, James Bond says:

    Lol… Words, words, words…Nothing but empty words. Government is playing the fiddle, while Rome is burning down. Of course we know it is “intolerable” what happened last night, and yes, we are aware that you would like the public’s assistance… More needs to be done, much more! Perhaps you may wish to round up all the well-known gangstas and start castrating a few. That would be a good, fresh, healthy start.

    12
    1
  36. Anonymous says:

    With a little luck, these rotten losers were struck by bullets and will bleed out slowly and painfully!

    12
    2
  37. Anonymous says:

    As we sink further into the abyss…what is the Coalition Government doing??? Oh wait, they doing what they always do……nothing!!!

    13
    1
  38. Anonymous says:

    Helicopter?

    17
    • Anonymous says:

      It was busy during the day at stingray city.

      11
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      We should sell the helicopter if it can’t coordinate regular JMU busts. RCIPS need to justify their toys and strategy. We need police cars deployed at regular intervals and mile markers enforcing the traffic code until a more urgent call comes through. The police need to do that for at least 6 months to gain back trust lost from decades of dereliction. Response time needs to be cut from half hour or more to under three minutes. Our officers need to know their fellow officers will have their back too as they respond to armed and dangerous call-outs! 400+ officers and we have just a couple shift-bound cars to cover 200 sq miles, and none of them have the necessary tactical training or equipment to respond to real world threats.

      13
      • Anonymous says:

        They only want ganja…not guns or real drugs and thugs. hard drugs all over the place with kids selling

  39. Anonymous says:

    These pieces of sh*t need stopping. Permanently. Shoot to kill, ask questions later.

    30
    1
  40. Anonymous says:

    Must have been pretty exciting for them 2 boys. Gonna be sad for their mommas when they get caught, or killed.

    20
    2
  41. Anonymous says:

    How do they got away??? I dont get it!

    14
    1
  42. Anonymous says:

    Standby for the “paradise lost” comments.

    9
    3
  43. Anonymous says:

    How can they get away on foot after having exchanged fire with cops? They can’t just have vanished?

    19
    1
  44. Anonymous says:

    Build a dock, eh? What good is that if Cayman is just another crime-ridden Caribbean island? Get your priorities in order Cayman!

    20
  45. Anonymous says:

    Let’s hope the scum have ‘friends’ willing to turn them in for some cash reward.

    These idiots just upped the ante somewhat. Firing on police is hopefully going to mean a serious amount of heat will be applied. All for what, a few lousy dollars?

    Robin Hood characters they are not. Targeting hard working people going about their lives…words fail me. Catch them, put them away for a long time.

    27
    1
    • Anonymous says:

      That’s a great point. Where are the rewards to catch these scumbags? You know there’s a crack head out there ready to spill the beans on these ghetto dwellers.

  46. Anonymous says:

    Progress. Growth. Development. Change everything. Get with the times.
    (Repeat)

    – Who

    9
    6
  47. Anonymous says:

    Some people in our community do not support police pursuits. They say just jot down the registration number of the vehicle and go to the address of the registered owner. Perhaps they would say that this one would have been justified and as long as it is a Honda vehicle they should pursue it.

    12
    3
    • Anonymous says:

      Unfortunately, 8.08pm not all registration plates are genuine. Many criminals use false plates.

      3
      1
    • Anonymous says:

      The vehicle was reported stolen – so it would have been useless to go to the home of the registered owner.

Leave a Reply to Cayman Safe Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.