Police Commissioner promises early breakthrough in ATM heist probe

8:37 am, Sat March 25, 2023

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Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson, George Overton, President of the Jamaica Society for Industrial Security, and Andre McLean, President of Beryllium

Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson has promised that the police will soon make a breakthrough in last Sunday's multimillion dollar heist at a Scotiabank Automated Teller Machine in Braeton Park, Portmore St Catherine.

Five persons were wounded, including four security guards and a licensed firearm holder, during an armed robbery.

The guards were robbed of $23.2 million.

A Security Partners Meeting, hosted by General Anderson and Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifford Blake, was held on Friday with senior representatives from Jamaica's private security companies in response to the attacks.

General Anderson disclosed that suspects have been detained in relation to the incident, and "we should have some good breakthroughs in the near future."

Investigators probing that robbery "are moving rapidly, not only to recover items used but also to follow up on this case," and are following "some very strong leads," he said.

Changes

The Police Commissioner also signaled that changes are coming with regard to the handling of large amounts of cash by security guards.

He said there should be uniformity in the procedures for security guards who transport cash, and accordingly, members of the security industry will collectively develop new standards, which will then be further discussed with the police, who will then have "our own input into how the whole operation of movement of large amounts of cash is going to take place..."

These standards will also be discussed with the Jamaica Bankers Association, he said, in order to ensure a common understanding and approach to the challenge.

Commander George Overton, President of the Jamaica Society for Industrial Security, also confirmed that discussions will be held on the standards for operating armoured vehicles.

In keeping with those sentiments, Andre McLean, President of Beryllium, said he was looking forward to the support from the police to assist security guards with the safe delivery of cash to business establishments.