By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

TWO MEN are in critical condition in hospital after they allegedly stole a vehicle, robbed a liquor store and led police on a high-speed chase before slamming the car into an electricity pole and residence on Tuesday night.

Officer in Charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, said police on patrol near Yamacraw Beach observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed, that matched the description of a Honda that was used in an armed robbery minutes earlier.

“Around 8pm yesterday a lone gunman entered a store on Soldier Road and held the cashier at bay. The suspect robbed her of cash and other personal items before leaving the store. He got into a grey coloured Honda driven by a second male,” Supt Fernander said.

“Shortly after, police on patrol in the Yamacraw Beach area, near the prison, spotted the vehicle and beckoned the driver to stop. The driver took off at a high rate of speed travelling west on Yamacraw Road and ran the red light at the junction of Fox Hill and Yamacraw.

“The suspects continued driving in a reckless manner and turned onto Pineyard Road, where they ran into another vehicle. The impact of the accident caused the suspect to lose control of his vehicle and run into a lamp post.

“After breaking the pole in half, the suspect continued to drive and slammed into a house. The vehicle and the home received extensive damage. Both suspects were taken out of the vehicle using the jaws of life.”

The men are listed in critical but stable condition in hospital under heavy police guard. Supt Fernander said the suspects stole the vehicle in an armed robbery on Monday.

He also said police recovered a number of items in the vehicle that they suspect were stolen in a number of armed robberies in New Providence.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 520-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.