By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have launched an island-wide hunt for two men suspected of raping almost a dozen women in their homes including a former parliamentarian and the niece of a prominent politician.

According to sources close to the probe, police have formed a dedicated unit to find and arrest the two serial rapists who have been terrorising women in the eastern and western areas for the past three weeks.

The men, who wore scarfs tied around their faces, would break into the homes of women between 2am and 6am and rape them at gun point.

In some instances, the men would rob the residents of cash and electronics and one man would sexually assault the female.

One of the men is described as having a Jamaican accent being just under six-foot tall with a medium build and the other is Bahamian of average height and slim build.

Most of the incidents are said to have occurred in Yamacraw, Elizabeth Estates and Winton areas in the east and Coral Harbour, Cable Beach and Sandy Port in the west.

All of the women were sexually assaulted in their homes, none of them were beaten.

Police have not confirmed or denied the serial rapist allegations however, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ferguson said police have stepped up patrols after an increase in armed robberies in the eastern and western areas.

“In speaking to the press a couple weeks ago, I indicated that after several incidents in the Eastern Road area, I spoke about officers being on special patrol. More recently we were receiving reports of armed robberies where in some cases one or two persons would break into a person’s home over the past couple weeks in the eastern area. We are concerned about that especially during the early morning hours. There have also been some reports in the western area we are concerned about,” he said.

“When you are talking about someone entering the home of an individual there is a cause for concern, the police have been active in respect to these investigations and we have stepped up our patrols in the area. I believe we are making every effort to try to apprehend these persons and as I always say persons who might have information about a person who is committing a criminal offence, which is deemed a very serious criminal offence in the these two areas, should contact police so we can take appropriate action.”

ACP Ferguson urged members of the public to be more alert when heading home especially late at night and early in the morning.

“We would like residents and citizens as you move about to be aware if someone might be following you. If you see someone lurking around your streets, lurking around your premises or premises that are not occupied pick up the phone and call the police and we will be more than happy to respond. As I indicated we have stepped up patrols in these areas so the response time should be very quick. We would really like for people to call us. I believe this is the only way that we can solve these matters if we work together.

“Police can not do it alone and so therefore we do not want the public to turn a blind eye because it doesn't concern you,” he said.

“We believe that we will make some inroads in this and find the persons responsible but we can not say that all these matters are being committed by the same persons. Sometimes people prowl around areas, sometimes people follow people home and things happen, that’s why we say to people be alert as to who may be following you as you are going home. You may see someone following you for any length of time, do not pull up in your yard. Go to the police station and alert the police saying ‘I believe that I am being followed’ and officers will be more than happy to see the areas are checked and that you are able to safely get into your home.”

ACP Ferguson said there have been at least four reported cases of armed robberies in the east and four in the west.

Police are also encouraging members of the pubic to get to know their neighbors and always be on the alert for something strange or out of the ordinary in their neighborhood.