Masked robbers hold tourists at
gunpoint in guesthouse break-in
By Robyn Skinner
Police are hunting two masked men who attacked and robbed American
tourists at gunpoint after breaking into their guesthouse.
Yesterday at about 3 a.m. the men
broke into a guesthouse in the East End — Police are not revealing which
one — and attacked the husband and wife, holding them at gunpoint. The
man suffered broken ribs and his wife’s face was left severely bruised
in the attack. They were treated at the King Edward VII Memorial
hospital before being released.
They left Bermuda yesterday — the day
they were meant to be finishing their holiday on the Island.
Last night Assistant Commissioner of
Police Carlton Adams said: “We take this incident very seriously and we
will be working tirelessly to make sure those who did this are brought
to justice.”
The two men are described as being
young and black though Police were unsure of their heights. And both men
were believed to be carrying firearms, however, neither weapon was
fired.
Mr. Adams said more than a dozen
officers are investigating the incident and will be patrolling guest
homes to ensure the men do not attempt a second assault.
Last night St. George’s Mayor Mariea
Caisey said she was shocked and horrified to hear of the violent attack
and called on the public to speak up before someone was killed.
Mayor Caisey said: “I’m speechless
right now. I’m very sorry to hear about what happened. I’m afraid,
though, it wouldn’t matter if we had more Police presence in the town
because it wouldn’t deter them. These are sick people who will do
anything for their habit. I’m paranoid as it is. I always lock myself in
my house. I lock my windows, my doors, everything.”
And the Mayor said she was very sorry
for the visitors who had to experience this and she believes the only
way to deal with this situation is for the public to come forward.
She said: “Everybody needs to speak
up. These men could have had guns. Somebody could get killed and a lot
of young people don’t understand what these incidents do for Bermuda-
they give us such bad publicity.”
Police last night also confirmed the
suspected firearms are not related to those stolen from a Warwick
property a month ago.
A Government spokeswoman said last
night: “The Minister of Public Safety and Housing, Lt. Col. David Burch,
OBE, ED, JP, has assured residents and visitors that the Bermuda Police
Service is using every and all available resources to apprehend the
perpetrators who committed this heinous act. Minister Burch has
requested the Bermuda Police Service make this incident a ‘top
priority’, pointing out that such an act is not typical of ‘our
Bermudian culture’.”
“The Minister has also advised that he
has been kept ‘fully abreast’ of all aspects of the investigation
relating to this incident and has assured that he will update the public
of any further developments as they unfold.” |
