Officers investigating the recent robbery at Kirk Freeport are now in a position to confirm that Kirk Freeport and Cayman Crime Stoppers have joined forces to offer a twenty thousand dollar (KYD) reward for information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the offenders.

The robbery took place around 6.40pm on 7 January at the Kirk Freeport store in The Strand, when four masked men, one of whom was in possession of a handgun, entered the store, threatened staff and made off with a quantity of Rolex and Breitling watches (examples pictured).  The robbers then made off, on foot, to the rear of Kirk Freeport and towards the construction site on West Bay Road opposite the Caribbean Cub.

The robbers were described as:

Male 1 – tall (approx. 6ft – 6ft 3”), slim build and wearing a woolen black ski type mask –no holes cut out for the mouth. He was wearing a heavy black ‘bomber’ style jacket and black pants (possibly jeans). He wore dark coloured gloves.

Male 2 – tall (approx. 6ft – 6ft 3”), slim / medium build and wearing a black mask, a black jacket, black pants and black shoes. He was wearing dark coloured gloves.

Male 3 – tall (approx. 6ft – 6ft 3”), slim build and wearing a black mask, a black jacket, black pants and black basketball style shoes which have white soles and white toes. He was wearing light coloured gardening style gloves.

Male 4 – medium height (approx. 5ft 7” – 5ft 9”), medium build and wearing a black mask, a black jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. He was wearing light coloured gardening style gloves.

Four men were arrested by police in connection with the incident. One of those men, a 28-year-old, has been charged, has appeared in court and is currently remanded awaiting trial. The other three men were released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Detective Inspector Kathy Marshall hopes that the reward, which comprises of ten thousand dollars from Kirk Freeport and ten thousand dollars from Cayman Crime Stoppers, will encourage anyone who has information about the crime to come forward. “We have spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time of the crime,” said DI Marshall. “ However, if you were in the area and have not yet come forward we would urge you to do so as soon as possible. You can pass information to us in confidence and you may eligible for the reward.”

Gerry Kirkconnell, Managing Director of Kirk Freeport, says that the company felt it was important to do all that it could to help the police investigation. “This was a terrifying experience for our staff. Thankfully no-one was injured and the police were able to make some quick arrests. The Cayman Islands is relatively crime free and we know that the events of 7 January have concerned many people within the business community. We hope that the offer of this substantial reward will encourage those who have information to come forward. It’s important for us all that these people are brought to justice as quickly as possible to ensure that the Cayman Islands remains a world leading financial and tourist centre.”

Malcolm Ellis, Chairman of Cayman Crime Stoppers, said, “Cayman Crime Stoppers remains committed to providing ways for people to submit tips without revealing their identity and to facilitate rewards for information.  We support this effort by adding another $10,000 to the $10,000 put up by Kirk Freeport, bringing the reward total to $20,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case.  Anyone with information about this crime can call 800-TIPS or visit our website at Crimestoppers.ky to submit a tip anonymously.  We want your information, not your name.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force at 949-4222 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact either the RCIPS tip-line on 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477(TIPS).

Attached-  photographs of the types of watches stolen in the robbery.