$1.5 million robbery in Valpark ...Cops hunt 5, among them woman with baby

OFFICERS of the St Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID) are on the hunt for five people, among them a woman with a baby, who are believed to be behind a $1.5 million robbery at Rajiv’s Jewellers, Valpark Shopping Plaza.

Police said the woman with the child, along with three armed men who actually carried out the robbery, made their escape in a grey Lancer vehicle. The woman was said to be standing guard while the three men carried out the robbery at the jewel store, owned by Sushil Patel. According to police reports, around 2.30 pm yesterday, three men entered the jewel store, pretending to be customers, looking at various pieces in their respective showcases. Police said one of the men left the store and returned with a firearm, which was then pointed at about six employees in the store. The three bandits then ordered the workers into a corner and emptied several showcases containing chains, diamonds, ID bands, bracelets, etc. They then escaped into the waiting vehicle and up to late yesterday had not been arrested. A report was made and a party of officers from the St Joseph CID under PC Ronald Williams and including PC Dexter Bernard visited the scene and conducted investigations.  Fingerprint experts were also called in.

One of the female workers told Sunday Newsday yesterday that the stolen jewelry is worth approximately $1.5 million.  However, she pointed out that an inventory has not yet been done. It is expected to be done by tomorrow for the police, the worker told Sunday Newsday. The worker added that the woman holding the baby appeared to be on the lookout for the other three bandits. She said after the robbery, two workers ran after the bandits, but they escaped in the vehicle. Expressing frustration, the woman said that they are fed-up at the crime situation in the country and appealed to National Security Minister, Howard Chin Lee, to do something. She said it is the fourth time they have been robbed in three years, and stated categorically that they intend to “pack up and leave the country.”
PC Williams is continuing investigations.