CI$100k reward offered for help catching robbers
(CNS): Government has added CI$75,000 to a CrimeStoppers reward of $25,000 posted for information to help police catch and convict the people behind the unprecedented spike in robberies this year. Following a meeting between all MPs and the police commissioner on Friday, the governor, premier, and opposition leader issued a joint statement where they said it was the duty of those who know who the robbers are to share the information. To encourage people to come forward, there is now CI$100,000 on the table for a successful conviction.
Since August, 32 armed robberies have taken place across Grand Cayman in shops, restaurants, gas stations and on the street. Despite the implications during last week’s debate in parliament on the Gambling Amendment Bill, only two of the recent stick-ups were linked to illegal gambling. Police working on the robberies have said on a number of occasions that the robberies are being committed by a loosely associated group of suspects, who often operate in small groups of four or fewer.
The RCIPS has said that additional resources have been deployed, both overtly and covertly, including additional armed officers to both protect the community and arrest those responsible for the crimes.
“During what is traditionally one of the most pleasant times of year, we know there has been public concern with the recent spike in reported robberies through the community,” Governor Martyn Roper, Premier Wayne Panton and Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart said. “We wish to assure the public that we, along with members of Cabinet, and all MPs, share your concern. These robberies do not align with our strong Caymanian values of honesty, work ethic and caring for our neighbours.”
The three leaders said the police had “a proven track record of confronting and reducing serious crime”, and the country “must support the brave men and women of the RCIPS who risk their lives to keep us safe”.
Senior police had told the press last month that they were closing in on the culprits, piecing together hours of CCTV footage to track their movements and get the evidence to arrest and then charge them, but so far only one suspect has been charged in connection with one of the robberies.
Roper, Panton and McTaggart said RCIPS needs the help of the community to tackle this serious crime spree. “Community engagement is necessary to identify and apprehend the criminals involved,” they stated. “The police need our support to keep our businesses, homes and families safe. There are people in the community who know the identity of these criminals. If you do, you have a duty to your country and your community to share the information you know.”
As a result, the government is topping up the reward offered by CrimeStoppers for a total of $100,000.
“We are pleased to announce that Crime Stoppers has offered an award up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these robbers,” the three leaders said. “We wish to record our thanks to CrimeStoppers for being a valuable partner in safeguarding our community. It is for this reason that the government has pledged an additional $75,000 to be added to the reward to encourage persons to help authorities bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Cayman Islands Government has zero tolerance towards crime, Roper, Panton and McTaggart stated, adding that they would work with the RCIPS to prevent further escalation, which would incite fear and anguish in the community. They also urged the criminals to consider the consequences of their actions.
“Our prisons are filled with persons who thought they would never be caught for their acts. Do not mistake short term gains from these horrible and nefarious activities for success. Justice will be served and the penalties will indeed be appropriate for the level of distress and harm being caused to the citizens of our community,” they said.
“We implore everyone to cooperate with the police, and proactively offer any information that could assist in ongoing investigations. We deserve to enjoy the holiday season, including shopping for gifts for our loved ones, without the fear of being a victim of crime,” they said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCIPS Confidential Tipline at 949-7777 where you can leave an anonymous voicemail or visit the website.
People can also submit tips to Cayman CrimeStoppers website caymancrimestoppers.com and it will be shared with the RCIPS without identifying the source.
- Fascinated
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Category: Crime
Reasons to turn to crime:
#357 – Minimum Wage of $4.50/6 hour!
To be reviewed “next year”.
Maybe
I call BS on your dumb logic.
Legalize abortions. Too many unplanned, unwanted children are being created by young people who are not ready to care for them.
Today’s neglected and abused baby is tomorrow’s criminal.
So wait a min I thought the cops said they knew all the robbers were Caymanians so why are they asking for our help to find them?
Jamaican cops don’t care about arresting their Jamaican bruvs who are using Caymanian accents when they rob.
Get rid of JA cops and deport every JA criminal here and you will see a reduction in crime. UK did it. What the hell are we waiting for? JA criminals and Cuban rude beggars. The ship is sinking people.
LOL
The basic reason people don’t talk to the police is that the Police TALK making the messenger a target.
Thought they already knew who the 10 locals were doing all of this :)?
I think all they may actually know is the way to the Popeyes drive-through line in GT because they are always there
At least Popeye is safe.
Caribbean version of the Donut Shop!
@20/12/22 at 9:18 am – Define the word “local” using the article you’ve commented to as context.
How about the police do the job they are paid, quiet substantially, to do and I don’t mean standing along side the road with a speed gun. Do your jobs!!! Please. You all are the first line in crime reduction. Please don’t forget that.
To be fair, they only stand along the side of the road in the winter when it’s not as hot outside. I always slow down in the winter, but summer is never a worry for speed traps.
So true. Police just fine rich people for driving safely. How about they catch criminals instead.
I’m sorry but the RCIPS are useless and have proven over and over they don’t care and cannot be trusted!
The Governor and political elite need to stop sucking up to them and make some long overdue decisions to improve public safety!
Sucking up to them? The governor is literally in charge of them. He gets 100% of the blame for us being in the position that we are in right now.
Just as i was saying last week there i was in my coffee shop noticing it was getting dark so head home fast there is a shooting in the bar next door. Wow.
Too close for comfort. Its getting like Russian roulette drinking coffee late or jogging
These ridiculous comments that alluded that the robbers are from JAM is misleading at best and only serves to divides our community. To be honest it does not matter where they are from and who they are this cannot continue. Ultimately it will ruin our economy and affect us all. The underlying factor is that most of the citizens of this country are suffering financially and otherwise. Something must be done immediately to assist in this regards
I know many poor people that give substantially more as a percentage of their income to charity than do rich people. I say this because the idea that people are stealing because they are suffering financially is wrong. That is an excuse. A cop out. They steal because they don’t value others and have an overinflated perception of themselves. NAU gives out plenty of money and the Christmas beautification projects also provide funds for those willing to work. Nah, these thieves are lazy self-entitled punks.
Those of you who marched against civil partnerships, ‘petitioned Heaven’ and wasted God’s time in many other ways, now it’s your time to star. Pray harder than those good old days, now we have a real issue to worry about. Pray like there’s no tomorrow because now we actually have something of a concern. Pray for a worthy cause. Oh well, y’all conveniently quiet.
I most certainly agree with this comment 1000%.
Hers some news for you. A gay relationship is no different to a heterosexual relationship (I’m not gay). What a backward disgusting post from you. Also the majority of people in cayman and elsewhere do not attend church and are not religious, mainly because religion causes most wars and child abuse.
Take your time and re-read the post you’re replying to a little slower this time. They are not disparaging civil partnerships or “gay relationship”. They are criticizing the hypocrites that protested that (which was as non-threatening as could possibly be), and yet sit silent while there are *actual murders* happening around the island.
The public has lost faith and has no interest in helping the police who do not apply the law fairly.
Please explain why MP Seymour was not breathalyzed after his accident where it would be standard procedure for the average Joe.
The police should have used this opportunity to enforce their road safety campaign regardless of the outcome to the MP.
If people feel they can not trust the police to act impartially it defeats the concept of providing information anonymously because of the real fear our names will be released to these criminals.
my fear is that some of the police are involved in these incidents
Says Cocaine Kenny, our very own convicted felon MLA!
Quick Poll:
If you think the Police are doing a good job with their $53 million annual budget then Click Thumbs up.
If you think the Police are not doing the jobs they are given millions for every year then Click Thumbs down.
If you click thumbs down, then join together and when you see a police car (a rarity I know) give them a big sarcastic applause as they drive passed.
Enough people join in, the Police might actually do something other than photo ops.
Yes you apparently have all the gear,
but clearly you have no idea
Is there a reward for while blowing in relation to financial crime? Law firms look the other way as long as they can claim an exemption from filing a report.
You mean whistle blowing I assume. Auto correct functionality on phones …
Its not enough, RCIPS can’t hope to protect would be tipsters. Make it a $Million an then one might be able to afford a crack non-CIG affiliated bodyguard service for life. I wouldn’t put my hamster’s life in the hands of RCIPS as they have a serious lack of trust and integrity.
on another note, what planet are the Gov., Premier and Opposition leader living on? “Strong Caymanian values of honesty, work ethic and caring for our neighbours” left these islands after MacBeater’s mass status grant.
“Cayman Islands Government has zero tolerance towards crime, Roper, Panton and McTaggart stated…”
Could’ve honestly fooled me.
How about using that money to invest in real policing
police already get paid and still do nothing.
I can’t even – nice PR material- lord help us!
Gonna need to add a couple of zeros to that figure…
Where will the RCIPS put them? HM Northward has no vacancy capacity at only 210 men, a reasonable capacity for minimum security needs of 1981 when we only had a population of 15000. The new facility needs to have capacity and budget for thousands who should be residing there long term, demonstrating remediation, and earning the public trust of parole while serving their penance, or completing every minute of their imposed sentences.
That 100k would cover a personal security detail for about 2 weeks… then what?
🚨👮🏾♀️🚔400+ police force is unable to find, comprehend, arrest and prosecute serial burglars on a piece of land the size of a Texas ranch surrounded by water…
🚨🚨 LET THAT SHINK IN.🚨
Incredible that Cayman, which has a population of a medium to large(ish) UK Town, requires 400+ cops when it would be covered by an absolute max of 100 in the UK and overseen by a Chief Insp. Completely top heavy with snr officers and carrying entirely too many passengers.
The funny part people over look is you only get the money if they convic them. Lol it’s the best trick the police and PPD play. Whats the conviction rate again for or great justice department?
Says the thief.
The McKeeva plan has finally culminated in to mini Jamaica with a Miami Cuban flavour corruption and Crime and drug rundown pot with his kitchen hands trying hog it all for themselves and leaving nothing for the poor he promised to make rich! Our resident maitre Dee Ropa too busy wining and dining sponsors for his retirement plan to care . What a real disaster Cayman is in .
Reflexively pointing the finger at permit nations is becoming so tiresome, and this deflection doesn’t change the fact that most of our serious crime, including the convicted murderers and assassins, invariably turn out to have been born and raised Caymanians. Many are descendants of once proud surnames going back a hundred years. Any perceived emulation remains an unaddressed Cayman Islands problem of deadbeat dads, unheeded schoolyard red flags, romanticized financial security of illicit occupations, and pervasive culture of retribution. What are we doing to counter those foundation issues?
maybe mac can organise another public prayer morning…..zzzzzzzzzzz
too little too late…
long term solutions:
discourage/oultaw ghetto culture/behaviour across all sectors of society
stop importation of labour from jamiaca.
Use contraceptives.
Slap on the wrist punishment only encourages Jamaicans to come here and rob.
The odds of getting caught, and punished are in their favor.
Make punishment harsh and swift , and a little less human rights bull.
That’s our biggest problem but sadly they’re too many big wig politicians,AG,CJ and Mac who are backers of Jamaicans. The RCIPS is now 55%:(Jamaican and that’s a National Security calamity that will get worse.
When the police can’t be bothered to try and catch them themselves, they want the public to help.
If the Police want the publics help they need to start doing their jobs.
It truly is amazing how useless the Cayman Police are, and the fact they seem proud of it.
They’re almost entirely from Jam, and the others are stats holders. Only thing they want to do is harass drivers.
they should continue to enforce all traffic offenses as well as look for crime in other forms. but they can’t even manage to enforce traffic laws so please tell me how they are harassing you? did you get a ticket for speeding?
I only see them out for a couple hours for a random day every 3 months.
If they did harass drivers, the traffic would improve greatly, as would the standard.
Sitting by the road this week waiting for a ride, I counted 40% of drivers either on their phone or texting while driving.
Why don’t the police just confirm they think the traffic laws are more like guidelines
This popular myth doesn’t bear out. The opposite is true of our criminal culture if you review the surnames in our Cause Lists. Perp is rarely not a Caymanian, and often with a surname going back a hundred years. These are usually not status grants or Jamaican permit holders. Messed up homegrowns with a long history of trouble, often inter-generational histories with fathers and uncles in the adjacent cells.
Still nah worth my safety police too chatty. I can clean up roads for um tho.
Then do something about the crime u knobs. Offering a little reward to loosen lips is good, throwing a bunch after it is lazy and speaks volumes about your incompetence.
well, fake reports soon come
Excellent. This will produce results. Well done CIG.
Sarcasm?
Sarcasm I sincerely hope
I remember at the beginning of all this, I was told by our CoP that they knew it was a small group of locals who were committing these robberies and action was soon to follow. There weren’t any arrests that I remember, correct me if I’m wrong, but by the reward being offered now it doesn’t sound like that small group of locals were the culprit.
Was the CoP wrong? Was it just fanciful whispers to quell public concern?
Hmm, well we will see. I honestly wish I knew something because that 100k could create a lot opportunities during these times when life is stretching me thin.
There’s a difference between knowing and being able to prove. If the reward is for a conviction, it will probably require the informant to give evidence.
…and then be looking over their shoulder forever. The RCIPS have already acknowledged that they know these are probably career robbers that were released from Northward too soon. We need to build a much bigger prison – one that is proportionate to the ratio of unchecked criminality at work in the Cayman Islands. The capacity of 210 men exceeded purpose 20 years ago and nothing has been done about it.
We can’t build a bigger prison with the money being put into renovating GT and Kenny’s new restaurant.
With that money you could get a new body and identity. If I knew who the little buggers were, I would gladly give them up and my witnessing would be by Zoom, covered face and distorted voice.
The police have a proven track record of not protecting witnesses.
It is time for a massive police reform, have all active officers perform the recruitment fitness test and fire those that fail.
A good tracking attack Dog would really help the police now! Wait, no K9 Baron is dead…
I will correct you – there have been a couple of arrests, Hell Gas Station, WB just last week for one. No need to thank me.
10.04 You must be doing stats for police. A couple isnt one arrest. SMH