Immigration officer 'drove getaway car'

Thursday, April 17, 2014

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES say they have two persons in custody, including a woman immigration officer, who they believe drove a getaway vehicle during the armed robbery of an off duty police officer.

According to Central Detective Unit chief Paul Rolle, police made the arrest shortly after the incident occurred Tuesday night when the suspect, who was shot several times in his body by the off-duty officer, arrived at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Police said the suspect fired his weapon at the officer who then returned gunfire, hitting the suspect once in his chest and stomach and a few times in his side.

As a result, the 32-year-old robber was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital by the Immigration officer. Mr Rolle said that upon searching the vehicle, officers confiscated a ski mask, a firearm and cash.

The incident happened outside of a residence at Hampshire Street near Westwood Villas at around 12:10am.

“Shortly afterwards,” Mr Rolle said, “we received reports from an off duty police officer who had reports that he was robbed. Investigations reveal that the officer, along with his friend, had just arrived home from a function down in the West Bay Street area. He had left his vehicle at the friend’s residence and was about to collect his vehicle before going home.

“When he got up and out of the vehicle he noticed a male running towards him wearing a ski mask and armed with a hand gun, pointing the gun at him. This male demanded he hand over all of his money. The officer in turn took money from his pocket and handed it to the robber.”

However, Mr Rolle told reporters that the suspect was not satisfied with the $130 that he was given and demanded more money. When the officer replied that he had no more cash, the assailant then turned to the officer’s friend, put the gun to his head, and made additional demands for money.

“The male indicated to the assailant that he had no money and the assailant became agitated and at that point attempted to shoot the male. Once the officer observed that, he then pulled his weapon from his holster. The suspect fired one shot at the officer, missing the officer. It struck the officer’s car, which was right behind him.”

Mr Rolle said the suspect then ran west along Hampshire Street dropping his weapon, a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol, which was recovered from the scene. It had one bullet in the chamber and three more live rounds in the magazine.

“The suspect then got into a Honda Accord that was waiting nearby and made good his escape from that area. We had a team of officers go to PMH and make checks.

“Persons showed up in this Honda to the hospital where officers from the Fire Arms Tracing and investigations unit were waiting and they arrested the male. (He) was taken into custody along with a female immigration officer who was driving the vehicle at the time,” Mr Rolle said.

Comments

goodread says...

great police work, whether on or off duty. Serves that robbing bastard right.

Posted 17 April 2014, 11:25 a.m. Suggest removal

TheObjectiveVoice says...

Amennn

Posted 17 April 2014, 4 p.m. Suggest removal

Cornel says...

So . . . this week . . . A church opened by a Sex Offender . . . . A murderer as a school principal . . . and an immigration officer driving a "getaway" car . . .

I only hope that the immigration officers shift was over and we were not paying her at the time.

Posted 17 April 2014, 11:29 a.m. Suggest removal

Bahamianpride says...

Cornel, the reality is in our little country a large percentage of the population are into getting over and total subjective morality even when it comes to clear standards of right and wrong.

Posted 17 April 2014, 12:13 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

It proves my earlier point............................... after reforming the Constitution........

A Commission of Inquiry needs to made into the operations of the Public Service Commision regarding the job descriptions/hiring/vetting/promotion/firing of ALL civil servants inclusive of the law enforcement agencies......... use Interpol, MI6. Mossad, FBI, CIA ............. whatever.

There is something wrong with the character of many of these people working in government/law enforcement. THIS IS A MAJOR CRISIS

That is what Perry and the Cabinet should be concerned about

Posted 17 April 2014, 12:22 p.m. Suggest removal

JohnDoes says...

Not all off-duty officers are armed though. Imagine if the officer were not armed, the remaining bullets in the gun could have be used to close the loose end (the officer and his friend).

Posted 17 April 2014, 12:30 p.m. Suggest removal

Sheeprunner12, here is your quote on hiring a convicted murderer as principal, are u for or against standards, i cannot tell, but we cannot have it both ways... I'm open minded, tell me if there is some misunderstanding of your position.

"TO ALL OF MY FELLOW CONTRIBUTORS:

What quality or characteristic disqualifies Mr. Sands from being a civil servant ............ after he had been charged, convicted and sentenced for manslaughter???????????

Or is teaching a special "civil service" job??????????

If that was the case the Government would have established the Teachers Service Commission by now.................... SMH

Was he charged with a crime against a child/young person????????? Was he a pedophile?????????

Please quote the General Orders or Public Service section that disqualifies him.

Until then.......................... he has paid his dues for his crime. Lets move on. "

Posted 17 April 2014, 12:54 p.m. Suggest removal

This is the present state of the government service............ my position is irrelevant............. this is commentary, not policy or legalese

Posted 18 April 2014, 10:50 a.m. Suggest removal

slim242 says...

RBDF, RBPF, IMMIGRATION and CUSTOMS are all criminals in uniforms. They are no better than the person who is sitting in Fox Hill for crimes committed on other people. Police smuggling cocaine, Immigration officer get a way driver, Custom officer letting there friends get away with duty and Defence force officer getting illegal immigrant pregnant. What a Christian Nation this is. LOL>

Posted 17 April 2014, 2:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Wowow, that armed robber didn't see that coming. Congratulations to the cop!!! I hope the robber pulls through so he can do some serious time in Fox Hill prison. That could have been anyone and I am so thankful that God preserved the cop's life and he was able to protect himself and his friend. It could have gone either way. I have no sympathy for the robber who got mad because he didn't get enough money from PEOPLE who WORKED for it... and then decided to shoot. Anyway, get well soon robber because your day in court is coming.

Posted 17 April 2014, 4:04 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

What IQ test must you NOT pass to work for Bahamaland's enforcement agencies?The best of the Comrade skit writers on Saturday Night Live couldn't make up what da authorities tis alleging, when they be saying; they have two persons in custody, including a woman immigration officer, who they believe drove a getaway vehicle during the armed robbery of an off duty police officer. I am typing and me belly is still a jump'in.

Posted 17 April 2014, 5:31 p.m. Suggest removal

Yep Tal, it is a crying shame for the integrity of the civil service and law enforcement in this country

After all, the first core principle of any civil servant is supposed to be INTEGRITY, followed by LOYALTY.................. SMH

Posted 18 April 2014, 10:56 a.m. Suggest removal

Honestman says...

Good Guys 1 Scum 0

Posted 18 April 2014, 1:39 p.m. Suggest removal

BahamianAway says...

They need to run intense background checks before showing people to work for any government agency...especially uniformed services. To many of these police and such have family members with criminal connections. That's a liability especially in this little Bahamaland.

Posted 18 April 2014, 7:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Friend says...

It is only a pity that the female immigration officer didn't get a shell for helping in the crime! Oh they will be getting bail on their first appearance in court as per Bahamian life style.

Posted 21 April 2014, 11:37 p.m. Suggest removal