$.5M missing after Ma Pau fire

The shocking discovery of the missing cash was made by John Wallis, owner of Ma Pau Casino at 4.15 pm on Sunday. The money, said to be the weekend take of the casino could not be found where it was left in two fire-proof vaults and a third vault in a caged area at the Casino.

Wallis together with Fire Officer John Phillip who is also the safety officer at Ma Pau discovered the fire proof vaults opened and the large sums of cash missing. Only $166,000 was left behind in two of the three vaults.

Wallis also discovered a quantity of $100 notes in the corridor suggesting that the person or persons who stole the cash dropped some of the money in their haste to leave the building.

A report of the missing cash was made to police constable Gosine of the Woodbrook police.

All employees who were in the building when the fire started were able to escape unhurt and the fire proof vaults which contained the cash were locked.

However, the investigators are working on a theory that the locks were prised open by persons who then removed the majority of the cash.

Yesterday, workers met with management and were relocated with immediate effect to two other Ma Pau branches. One of the Directors, Sherry Persad confirmed the larceny of the cash but said the issue is now a police matter and she is not at liberty to disclose any information.

(See Page 11A)