The thieves had lots of time at their disposal to pack bags with the loot and take them to an unknown destination before returning for more on at least two occasions. The police, located less than two minutes away from the 52 Fifth Street, Alberttown location of the store, did not respond to reports of the burglary.
The store’s manager, Avinash Persaud, a local golf champion, expressed his frustration at the number of break-ins the store has suffered and the police force’s seemingly lackadaisical behaviour towards the incidents. He said that it was a cousin of the owner who called him around 5 am yesterday informing him of the break-in, which occurred about two hours earlier. The perpetrators gained access into the store by cutting a grill door and heavy duty padlock. On previous occasions, the perpetrators were only able to cut the grill work on a window and push their hands through to get whatever was within reach.
Persaud explained that a neighbour saw three men committing the crime and contacted the police on several occasions but there was no immediate response. The ranks turned up about half an hour after the thieves had fled. Persaud said that he was told that the men had enough time to remove items and return for more with ease.
When Persaud arrived at 5:20 am, ranks were at the scene gathering evidence. He said when he entered the store “it was a mess.”
Persaud valued the losses at $700, 000 but said that it could be more. In addition to $10,000 in cash, the thieves took 36 phone cards valued at $200 each, a quantity of bats, sports clothing and shoes as well as electronics, including DVD players and flash drives. The break-in is the sixth the store has suffered within an 18 months period.
According to Persaud, yesterday’s break-in saw the biggest loss. He said on previous occasions the police have said they are investigating but he is unhappy with their work. “Every time, the police investigating but nothing ain’t happening, nobody ain’t getting caught and the police got reports at the station,” he said, while adding that on one occasion a man was held after he walked into the store and started picking up items. However, police released him after he was found to be of unsound mind.
Persaud, however, added that there is nothing much that he can do now but to allow the police to conduct their investigations.
