Bandits target Flagstaff family

While Saturday’s robbery at Flagstaff Hill Residences, Long Circular Road, St James, left people in the private development feeling uneasy—at least one resident doesn’t believe the rest of the occupants in the gated compound are in danger.

Instead, he believes the businessman who was robbed of his Toyota RAV 4 by several suspects around 8.45 pm, was being watched by those who carried out the brazen heist.

Guardian Media learned that Saturday’s robbery was the third such incident in as many months, perpetrated against the 50-year-old businessman.

Police said the victim resides with a 52-year-old Chinese female on the premises, and both of them were accosted during Saturday’s robbery as the suspects waited for them to arrive home.

Two security guards, both aged 57 and employed by Kigels Security Services, were also beaten and tied up before the robbery as the suspects lay in waiting.

Police said the suspects waited for the two victims to drive into the compound and as they arrived, the suspects wrenched open the driver’s door and began beating him about the body.

As a scuffle ensued between the male victim and two of the suspects—the other two suspects allegedly jumped into the van and sped out of the compound. The remaining accomplices ran back towards the exit and fled in another van.

The victims later assisted in freeing the guards and together, they alerted the police.

The four were taken to the St James Infirmary where they were treated and discharged.

When Guardian Media visited Flagstaff Hill Residences yesterday, the security personnel remained alert and were seen carefully screening visitors to the compound.

While the two guards on duty refused to speak with reporters, a homeowner who spoke as he drove out of the compound, indicated, “We are not feeling unsafe as we live down to the back.

“But it seems like he (businessman) may be a target.”

Pointing to the absence of the electronic barrier on one side, he added, “Anyone can park and walk onto the compound and not be stopped…and as you can see, it was easy for them to rob someone and just drive out.”

The resident called for more police patrols in and around the area.

The gated development is home to diplomats as well as senior government officials.

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