Nagra Plunkett, Assignment Coordinator

WESTERN BUREAU:

Gunmen went on a burglary spree in Westgate Hills and Unity Hall in Montego Bay, St. James, on the weekend, taking with them a licensed firearm and more than half of a million dollars in cash and valuables.

The most recent incident occurred shortly before 10:00 p.m. on Saturday when four armed men forced their way into a house in the upscale neighbourhood of Unity Hall. Reports are that the gunmen stole two laptop computers, with an estimated value of $120,000, cellular phones and $135,000 in cash from the premises.

It is alleged that when the male occupant arrived home, the robbers were seen exiting the premises and fired several shots at him. He escaped unharmed.

Friday hits

On Friday night, three homes in Westgate Hills - another affluent community in Montego Bay - were the target of burglaries.

"We believe the culprits are the same ones from the Irwindale area. The houses that were broken into are within about a half-mile radius of each other and are surrounded by heavily bushed areas," said Inspector Melvin Dennis, sub-officer in charge of the Mount Salem Police Station.

"We recovered documents and other paperwork taken during the burglaries in the nearby Porto Bello community."

It is believed that the criminals fled on foot by using dirt tracks leading to the Porto Bello/ Irwindale area.

The Gleaner has learnt that Irwindale has been plagued by several robberies in the past three weeks. In one of the incidents reportedly carried out by four gunmen, an elderly woman was also sodomised.

The criminals began their reign of terror about 9:15 p.m. on Friday in Westgate Hills when two attackers forced a man standing at his gate into his house at gunpoint. The gunmen stole cash, jewellery, cellphones and a digital camera valued at US$2,300 (approximately J$161,000).

Strange sounds

Later at 10:00 p.m., a common-law couple were at home when they heard strange sounds coming from the upper level of their house. When the husband went to investigate, the intruder shot him and then stole valuables estimated at $28,000.

Almost four hours later, a licensed firearm holder was attacked by gunmen who gained entry to their home by climbing a ladder and smashing a window on the upper floor. They stole a Glock 9mm pistol with a magazine containing 17 rounds, cellphones, jewellery, clothes and $28,000 in cash before escaping on foot.

nagra.plunkett@gleanerjm.com