A school security officer was tied up and blindfolded before being beaten by four masked men, during an armed robbery early yesterday morning at Doris Johnson Senior High School, according to police.
Assistant Superintendent Prince Charlton, officer in charge of the Fox Hill Police Station, said yesterday that the robbers stormed the campus grounds after cutting a lock at the northern entrance of the school.
The school's security officer responded to the disturbance at around 3:30 a.m., but was overcome by the robbers, one of whom was reportedly armed with a shotgun.
The security officer was gun butted several times to the head and had to be taken to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries, according to police.
When The Nassau Guardian arrived at the school, at least seven classrooms were in complete disarray, including the offices of the principal, vice principal and guidance counselor.
The culprits got away with a television, a number of cell phones, some laptops, jewelry that had been confiscated from students and an unknown amount of cash, Charlton said.
He also pointed out that several desktop computers and other school property had also been destroyed, including the air condition unit in the school's administration office.
However, the school proceeded as normal yesterday.
No one is in custody in connection with the matter as yet, but Charlton noted the school's security surveillance system may prove to be a key asset in the investigation.
He did not provide details, so as not to jeopardize the case.
Charlton also said police have not ruled out the possibility that students could have been involved.
He suggested there was a personal element to the incident, when considering the extent of the damage.
Charlton pointed out that it was not abnormal for one security officer to be stationed during a night shift at the school, however, he said at some other government schools there were as many as three security officers on duty during that shift.
"We have beefed up our patrols in government complexes, government schools and residential areas," said Charlton when asked about schools that have recently been targeted by criminals.
"It is just very unfortunate that something has happened at this particular school."
At around 1 a.m. on March 14, armed thieves robbed C. V. Bethel Senior High School on East Street South of several flat screen televisions, cell phones and a small amount of cash. In that case, the two security officers on duty were tied up.
The masked culprits kicked one of the security officers to the head and locked them in a room behind the security booth.
Last year, several classrooms at Carlton E. Francis Primary School were broken into and damaged. Claridge Primary School was also broken into and set ablaze last year.

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