By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are warning people to be “extra careful” in the run-up to the Christmas holiday season following several armed robberies and break-ins in the past few days.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said during this time of the year, people generally become “relaxed” and unknowingly open themselves up to those who are looking for an opportunity to commit a crime.

ACP Dean warned business owners and churches to stop making large deposits without a professional security company or a police escort. He said police would be on “heightened” patrol to protect citizens and prevent crime.

“People will be spending a lot of money during this time,” he said. “We want the public not to turn down their guard. This is the time when people get relaxed after working all year.”

“We asking you to be alert and be cautious, to look at your surroundings.

“It does not take anything off you to call the police if you see a suspicious car parked - call us. We are also talking to business places and you know we had a situation with the churches, so we want to tell people you cannot take anything for granted. If you know you have access to large sums of money, through business or church, get a reputable security firm or call the police for an escort. Those days of taking money, or one member or one employee taking the money and depositing it, is gone.

“The criminals are hip to that they know what is happening, the demand is out there and they are going to try to rob you. We need the public to reduce the opportunity for these criminals. Remain vigilant during this time.”

On Friday, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said police have stepped up patrols in preparation for the Christmas holidays and have increased manpower on the streets.

“We know how things can get during the holidays and we want to ensure the public that the police are looking out for them,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“We are nearing Christmas and have increased our patrols. Around this time, we always ensure that our citizens are protected. So we will be out in full force in the streets, we will be everywhere in the shopping centres and in the malls to ensure that shoppers are safe.

“But we will also be through the side corners ensuring that smaller establishments, the mom and pop shops, are protected.”

Last Sunday, three members of Mount Tabor Baptist Church were robbed at gunpoint of a “large amount of cash,” suspected to be the church’s offering collection, and cell phones.

According to police, officers were looking for two gunmen in a silver Honda Accord, licence plate number 179338, believed to be behind the incident.

The robbery occurred in the parking lot of the popular Pinewood Gardens church, shortly after 12.30pm as three men were about to drive off in a vehicle from the church’s parking lot.

Yesterday, three armed gunmen robbed Super Value on West Bay Street of a large amount of cash from the company’s safe.

The men escaped in a stolen vehicle and led police on a high-speed chase throughout the capital. Police shot two of the suspects, one of them is in hospital in serious condition under heavy police guard.

The other two suspects escaped capture.