Nagra Plunkett and George Henry, Gleaner Writers
WESTERN BUREAU:
A MANHUNT has been launched for three gunmen who staged a daring daylight heist at the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in Spaldings, Manchester, yesterday.
The robbers made off with just under $1 million in cash and relieved a security guard of his licensed firearm.
"We can't comment on the incident at this time. We are probing the matter in conjunction with the police so when the investigations are through we will make a statement," said Charmaine Wright, NCB's corporate and media affairs officer.
Sergeant Rohan Salmon, Constabulary Communication Network officer for Manchester, said the incident occurred about 9:25 a.m.
"Three armed men entered the bank where they held up two tellers and took away $900,000," he stated. "They also took a .38 revolver with six rounds from one of the security guards before escaping in a waiting motor car."
Four customers who were transacting business were also robbed of cash and their cellular phones.
They reported that they have identified suspects who might be persons associated with individuals from the Spaldings area.
Woman Constable Carlene Blake, of the Spaldings police, said the police have been eyeing one strange face in the area over recent weeks and that that person is to be picked up soon. She added that the police are 'on top of the situation' and are making every effort to quickly conclude their investigations.
STAFF TRAUMATISED
The police pointed out that no one was injured during the robbery, but workers at the facility were traumatised and were unable to conduct normal business after the incident.
The Gleaner understands that tapes from the bank's security surveillance system will be used in the investigation.
Two weeks ago gunmen held up and robbed the Patmores Hardware in the neighbouring town of Christiana. The business place was robbed of several hundred thousand dollars during that incident.
