A man yesterday walked into a Super Value on Baillou Hill Road, pointed his gun at a cashier and robbed the grocery chain of an undetermined amount of cash, police reported. The robbery took place around 12:30 p.m. as dozens of customers were grocery shopping, police said. Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander told the media another man stood outside the store and acted as a lookout.
The gunman and his accomplice reportedly ran away following the robbery. "It is a very bold armed robbery," Fernander said. "As you can see, this is a busy area and this area stays busy. "It is busy now and people are moving about, and we are very concerned about that. "This is mainly a corridor for police passing up and down in this area - saturated patrols." Fernander said police were following several leads and expect to find the men before they manage to rob again.
The Nassau Guardian understands police were reviewing footage from surveillance cameras inside the store to identify the men. When contacted, Candy Kelly of Super Value said the incident was saddening, but her main concern was the welfare of the staff. "I feel sorry for the staff because they are on the front line and had that experience," she said. "I don't care about the money, but it is the staff we are worried about."
Kelly confirmed security cameras picked up at least one of the men. The store was closed for several hours. Nearly a dozen police cars were parked in front of the store. People who attempted to patronize the grocery chain were turned away by police officers. The media were not permitted inside the store. However, several employees could be seen inside in tears. Some of them consoled one another.
Two male employees walked out of the store, telling The Guardian, they could not remain inside. "We are leaving," one employee said. "We are not coming back inside," another employee said. The Guardian attempted to interview several other employees who said they were too traumatized by the ordeal to speak.
A young woman in a cashier's uniform complained of chest paints and had to be escorted to a nearby car. Speaking to the recent spate of armed robberies and crime in general, Fernander said police will aggressively pursue, arrest and charge criminals as well as increase efforts to prevent crime. At 4 p.m. the store reopened to the public.
Fernander said last night that police were questioning two men in connection with the robbery, but were still following several other leads.
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