By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THIEVES pried open security bars and broke into the Department of Immigration yesterday morning, stealing electronics and employees’ personal items, Immigration Director William Pratt said.

The department’s sensitive information, which Mr Pratt said was either sealed or locked away, was not disturbed or stolen during the robbery.

It is suspected that the break-in took place around 2am, however authorities were not alerted until 6.30am when a security guard was giving janitors access to the building, Mr Pratt said.

However, some employees’ personal items were stolen, he said.

Because of the robbery, the Immigration Department did not open to the public until 2pm as an inventory was conducted and police performed their preliminary investigations.

“We have an alarm system and I understand the alarm went off and police passed around the building,” Mr Pratt told The Tribune. “I haven’t spoken directly to police, but they did get a call from (our security firm) to inform them of the alert as that’s the protocol, for the firm to call the police or one of the officers. I didn’t get a call . . .unless the phone call didn’t go through.”

He added: “The items stolen were staff personal items. Maybe a TV or stereo or some snacks and drinks. They (the robbers) were probably searching for money, but they didn’t take any. We are still waiting on analysis of inventory to determine what all was stolen. “

No security guard was on duty at the time of the break-in, Mr Pratt said. He said the incident has given the department reason to guard against future break-ins.

“We have some iron bars at the back (of the building). The robbers pried them open and smashed a glass. We are working to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again,” he added.

Superintendent Paul Rolle, head of the Central Detective Unit, said police are following no active leads into the matter.