FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2024
VOLUME 118, No.29
Friday blasts gov’t Page 2
www.thevincentian.com
Reduction in crime Page 4
Overseas Vincy speaks Page 7
ROBBERY BOTCHED BY SKILLED POLICING by HAYDN HUGGINS
SKILLED POLICE WORK, in conjunction with the assistance of villagers, may have prevented a heinous crime, or blood bath in South Rivers on Tuesday. Up to press time yesterday (Thursday), six persons including two women were assisting the police with investigations, and charges are expected to be laid by today (Friday) in connection with that incident during which bandits stormed the building of the South Rivers branch of the General Employees Corporate Credit Union (GECCU), but were only able to take off with a purse, containing only documents, due to the combined and pro-active work of the police. THE VINCENTIAN was reliably informed that based on police intelligence, the original target was not South Rivers, but because of the combined efforts of the police stations from the Eastern Division led by superintendent Hesran Ballantyne, and included the Georgetown, Colonaire, Owia, and Sandy Bay Police Stations, police officers were placed at all the institutions in that division, which deals with money transactions. However, shortly after 3 p.m., the intelligence revealed a change in target, but because of the proactive measures taken, the police were already on the scene in South Rivers and saw the car that
dropped off the bandits who had entered the GECCU building, as if they were going to do normal business. The lawmen heard someone scream “robbery” from inside the
building, and the police fired a shot at the car but it was able to speed off. The assailants, who were already in the building, ran back outside and opened fire on the
The South Rivers branch of GECCU one of five branches, was opened in May, 2017.
EC$1.50
Beryl’s doing Page 12
Vendor, student killed Page 24 Supt Hesran Ballantyne led the police operation that foiled a robbery at the South Rivers branch of GECCU.
police. The police returned fire, and the bandits ran in the direction of the community centre. The police, assisted by villagers, were able to apprehend three of them, and later that evening another one was taken into custody. Investigations continued, and the others were subsequently picked up with the assistance of other units of the Police Force. Continued on Page 3.