Old Harbour police advise bar operators after string of robberies

The warning came Friday during an emergency meeting called by the Old Harbour police, spearheaded by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Romario Rankin, commander of the police subdivision of Old Harbour. The meeting was prompted by four robberies in June, all involving bars operated by women. 

While the number of incidents may seem small, ASP Rankin emphasized the need for proactive measures. 

“So I decided that we have to tackle this from now, have a discussion with them to advise them about how to protect themselves going forward, as also find out how best we the police can assist them or what else we can do to ensure that they are safe while they are operating in the space, so they can continue to operate safely,” he told the meeting which included, business owners and party promoters inside the Old Harbour courthouse.  

Among the key recommendations, police advised bar operators to: Avoid closing their businesses alone, travel in groups when heading home, install CCTV cameras, remain vigilant and monitor unfamiliar individuals. 

One victim, a pub operator, recounted how a suspicious man entered her establishment and inquired about the location of her security cameras. The following morning, a nearby bar was robbed, and surveillance footage revealed one of the perpetrators matched the description of the same man. 

“So I brought to their attention how to use their observation skills to notice the persons who come there,” ASP Rankin said. “You get a mental picture of who they are. You know how they walk and how they talk and all those stuff: like what vehicle they drive. So whenever someone from out of the ordinary steps into your bar and the probably step into a corner and they probably ask two questions but they don’t engage too much, they avoid eye contact, they are pacing back and forth. They are inside, they are outside, they are not buying, they are just looking around… pay attention to them.  See what information you can get discretely. Probably snap a little picture. If it is a case that they drive, try and get the license plate of the vehicle and pass it on to the police so we can take immediate action.” 

While the meeting underscored the police’s commitment to collaboration with business owners to curb criminal activity and enhance safety in the community, ASP Rankin also shared that investigators believed they nabbed the perpetrators behind the recent spate of robberies.

Two men were arrested and a .38 illegal revolver seized during a police operation in Church Pen, Old Harbour on last week. 

The suspects, both from Kingston addresses were formally charged today, ASP Rankin informed Old Harbour News.