By EARYEL BOWLEG

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A family of five in Nassau was robbed of cash, jewelry and other personal items on Monday morning.

According to police, the armed robbery happened shortly after midnight when the family, an adult man, a woman and three juveniles, arrived at a residence on Arawak Avenue off Pyfrom Road. While standing on the porch attempting to enter the home, an armed man approached and robbed them. The culprit jumped a wall and escaped on foot.

Police are also investigating another armed robbery.

The incident occurred shortly after 5am. A couple was inside their home on Sequoia Street, Pinewood Gardens when two armed men entered the home, held them in the house at bay and robbed them of cash and keys for a vehicle. Before escaping, the robbers physically assaulted the male victim.

Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash told The Tribune back in November that while he did not think armed robberies had increased, police presence will be strengthened for the Christmas season.

“I wouldn’t say we’ve had a lot of armed robberies, but we are beefing up patrols. Beefing up patrols is a part of (our) strategy particularly in the shopping areas, the high-volume shopping areas so you will see more police moving closer to Christmas season,” CSP Cash said.

“We don’t expect any crime to increase, but we are in a preventative mode, so we aren’t expecting the worst. We are expecting a good Christmas for all Bahamian citizens and in ensuring that you will see high volumes of police presence.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information on these incidents to contact the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2, Crime Stoppers at 328-8477, or the nearest police station.