By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POLICE shot two armed robbery suspects early on Sunday morning, moments after they robbed Super Value Food Store on West Bay Street and led police on high-speed chase that ended in a residential area off East Street South.

The drama unfolded shortly after 7am in the Cable Beach area.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said police received information of a robbery in progress at the food store, where more than a dozen customers were inside when the robbery ocurred and sought cover in the back of the building to avoid the armed men.

When police arrived on the scene, the armed suspects had already left the store in a stolen silver Honda, but police immediately issued an all points bulletin for the men. ACP Dean confirmed that shots were fired inside the store during the robbery but luckily no one was injured.

A chase ensued which resulted in two of the three suspects being shot by police. Two of the men managed to escape and the third suspect is listed in serious condition in the hospital under heavy police guard. Police also recovered two weapons from the suspects.

Former Free National Movement Senator and Chairman Darron Cash, who was in the store at the time of the incident, said the suspects came in through the door with “guns blazing”.

“I was standing in the produce aisle, in the back of the store, when I heard the gunshots,” he told The Tribune. “The shots we heard were among the shots they fired once they came into the store. They fired shots inside the store once they came in; when we went out front we saw the bullet shell casings on the floor.

“Within seconds of them coming in people started running in the back of store, about 15 to 20 people. I didn’t move at first but once I realised what was happening I started running too. Many of the persons ran directly into the back of the store in the employees only section.

“We could see the gunman carrying the manager into a side room in the front of the store. One of the gunmen started to come in the back, we ran and we tried to find somewhere to take cover and I ran into the bathroom. We were in there for about two minutes before we came out. Several persons were shaken and scared. It was a surreal activity to see someone with a gun.”

ACP Dean described the men as “prolific offenders” who have been in and out of the system for years. He said police are actively hunting the two suspects who eluded capture.

“We can tell you the manager was going into the store, which was already open, when he was accosted by three men in a Honda who took him inside, held all the employees at bay and demanded cash,” ACP Dean said.

“The suspects took him to the safe where they relieved him of a large amount of cash before speeding off. Police send out an all points bulletin, all vehicles were alerted and we tracked the vehicle in the western area of New Providence. A chase ensued with exchange of gunfire during the chase that ended up in Joan’s Heights, where the suspects left the vehicle and continued firing at police. Police returned fire; there was damage to the police vehicle as well as the vehicle the suspects were in.

“One of the suspects was shot, he was taken to hospital where he is in serious condition. Police recovered two firearms on the scene. Police also recovered a large amount of cash - we believe it to be all the cash taken during the armed robbery.

“Based on additional information, we understand one of the suspects we are still looking for has been shot. We are saying to members of the public if anyone turns up with a gunshot wound do not hide them. Any private medical clinic if anyone turns up, the police need to be notified right away. It is a serious offense to harbour anyone wanted by police. These are dangerous persons who are out there. Turn these persons in.”

Police recovered the stolen vehicle in the Joan’s Heights area.

A long time resident of the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said she got an “eerie feeling” that something was about to happen and she and another neighbour decided to “pray over the community” on Saturday night.

She said she believes her prayers stopped the gunman from “accidentally shooting” children who play on the park, feet away from where the shoot out with police took place.

“The Lord just came to me and said he wants me to pray and cover the area,” the resident said.

“When I heard the gunshots I thought we were having New Year’s celebrations or something, that’s how many guns were firing. This happened right before 8am, when the children are usually on the park playing. It was God who kept them inside. Everyone in my house dropped to the floor when we heard the shots. Those men don’t know this area or they would not have come through here. It is a dead end, so they locked themselves in the back there.”

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

Investigations continue.