Armed robberies continue to plague NP
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man concealing a pistol in his shorts walked into a gas station on Fox Hill Road and Prince Charles Drive on Sunday night and held a cashier at gunpoint before robbing the business of an undetermined amount of cash.
The incident took place shortly before 10:30 p.m.
It was captured on the gas station’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance.
The footage, which made the rounds on social media, shows the assailant exiting a gray Honda Fit. He enters the gas station wearing a crème colored t-shirt, camouflage fisherman hat and camouflage shorts.
He can be seen with his left hand tucked into the pocket of his shorts.
His face can be plainly seen.
As he approaches the unsuspecting cashier, the man tosses a blue drawstring bag toward him, before revealing the firearm which he waves toward him.
After the cashier empties the contents of the register into the bag and hands it to the gunman, he leaves and reenters the vehicle parked outside.
Yesterday, authorities appealed for anyone with information on the incident to contact them.
Armed robberies continue to plague New Providence with daily crime reports inundated with incidents, the majority of which have involved men.
When asked about the uptick in armed robberies two weeks ago, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said he has not seen the latest statistics but was advised authorities have made a number of significant arrests recently.
Dames advised Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson will address the matter.
Bahamas Against Crime Executive Director Reverend Dr CB Moss has decried the spate of armed robberies plaguing New Providence in recent months and what he called the deafening silence from authorities and the government on the matter.
There were at least 18 armed robberies between October 25 and November 10.
Of those, four business establishments were targeted.
In July, authorities warned business owners in New Providence to be cautious of transporting large sums of cash following numerous incidents where they were targeted, and cautioned residents, particularly those in the southwestern portion of the island, of walking late at night.
In late August, the United States Embassy in The Bahamas advised its citizens to exercise “increase caution” when traveling to The Bahamas due to crime, noting that “violent crime such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault occurs even during the day, and in tourist areas”.
Crime statistics for the first six months of the year showed that armed robberies were down six percent.
There were 474 armed robberies in 2018, an 18 percent declined over the 575 incidents recorded in 2017.
Crime statistics have not been released to the public since July.
