By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

AN elderly man was shot dead yesterday afternoon after he was robbed of his gold jewellery.

The brazen daylight killing took place around 12.45am at Rose Close, Inagua Way off Carmichael Road.

Police say the man, who sources say is 61-year-old Earnest Hepburn, was sitting in front of a neighbour’s house playing dominoes with another man when they were approached by two men.

The men robbed Mr Hepburn of his jewellery and shot him twice before fleeing the area in a white car.

The other man escaped unharmed.

Mr Hepburn, who recently retired from the Water and Sewerage Corporation, died on the scene.

He became the country’s 82nd murder victim.

Police are asking for the public’s help in solving this crime. If anyone has any information they are asked to call police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

This latest robbery comes weeks after police vowed to crack down on armed robberies and temporarily shut down six cash for gold businesses suspected of selling stolen jewellery.

Superintendent of the South Central Division, Philip Don Wilson, said six cash for gold operators were taken into custody following the raids, however, they were all released pending further investigations. He said police conducted the raids following an increase in chain snatching and housebreaking.

“We received numerous complaints from law-abiding citizens who were either moving about or sitting in their vehicles when they were confronted by juveniles, in particular young men, who suddenly snatched their jewellery before fleeing,” he said.

“We were able to establish that even though we seldom recover merchandise, we were able to ascertain that the stolen properties were allegedly taken to various Cash4Gold outlets in return for instant monies.”

Supt Stephen Dean said for the most part owners of the Cash4Gold businesses have been cooperating with police.