From RCIPS Mon Jan 6 2014 2:21PM

Two men charged in Connection with the Robbery at  Diamonds International Jewellery  Store appeared in Summary Court today. The men were identified as Christopher Julian Myles and James Herbert Mclean. Both were remanded until  January 17^th  2014.

From RCIPS Fri Jan 3 8:24PM

Following inaccurate spins and interpretations put on the releases relating to the robbery at Diamond International which was sent out earlier this afternoon, please see a further explanation below:

1. As stated in the releases, the charges of the two men (on Robbery and Possession of Imitation Firearm with Intent) are preliminary and do not suggest in any way that the police is uncertain as to whether the firearm that was recovered is real or imitation. The court requires an expert to certify any firearm being presented in evidence, as being a firearm by the definition of the law, even where the firearm was used to shoot someone. Until this is done, preliminary charges are sometimes laid to put suspects before court, as in this case.

2. Note also, that the third suspect arrested for the robbery that is in police custody, has not been charged due to delays in conducting interviews because of his medical condition. As soon as the investigators are able to, they will interview and present the facts to the DPP for a ruling, which we anticipate will result in charges also.

3. Only one person was arrested for theft, as stated in all previous releases, and who remains in police custody. A second person was arrested for Handling Stolen Property related to that theft, and has been bailed.

FURTHER UPDATES: From RCIPS Fri Jan 3 7:00pm

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES

The RCIPS is appealing to any person who may have witnessed the robbery events or any part thereof, which occurred at Diamonds International Jewellery Store on Wednesday 1 January 2014, including the subsequent arrests of the suspects, to contact Detective Inspector Joseph Wright at 516 8169 (cellular) or by email at [email protected].

From RCIPS Fri Jan 3 6:42

The suspect who was arrested for theft following the New Year’s Day Robbery of the Diamonds International jewellery store, remains in police custody pending a legal ruling on the matter.
A second man who was arrested on suspicion of Handling Stolen Property related to the said theft, was bailed.

These two suspects are in addition to the four men who were also arrested for the Diamonds International robbery.

From RCIPS Jan 3 2014 6:37pm

Two of the four suspects that were arrested for the New Year’s Day Robbery of the Diamonds International jewellery store were formally charged this afternoon with *Robbery and Possession of Imitation Firearm with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence. They will be taken to court on Monday 6 January 2014.

These charges reflect the preliminary stage of the investigation, which continues.

Note: A third suspect remains in custody, and a fourth was bailed.

*Note: By way of explanation, the charge of Possession of Imitation Firearm with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence is a preliminary charge, pending the receipt of expert forensic examination report which is required by law to lay a charge of Possession of Unlicensed Firearm. There is no reason to suspect that the firearm recovered is not a real firearm, or that it is an imitation firearm.

End

Commissioner of Police Plays Key Role in Arrest of Persons Believed to be Involved in New Year Jewellery Heist and Praises Members of the Public

The day after Police Commissioner David Baines was confirmed as the recipient of the OBE in the New Year’s honours list, he was instrumental in the arrest of four men believed to have robbed a prominent downtown jewellery store.

All four suspects are now in police custody, thanks to the actions of Mr. Baines and several members of the public who assisted without a second thought for their own safety.

The suspects – all aged between 22 and 32 years – are in police custody on suspicion of robbery. A search of the area resulted in the recovery of a quantity of jewellery and a firearm a short distance from the store.

A fifth man, aged 48 years, has also been arrested – he is not believed to have been involved in the robbery, but entered the store after the robbery had taken place and stole a quantity of jewellery. The stolen property has been recovered and he is also in custody on suspicion of theft.

As the investigation continued, Commissioner Baines was quick to play down his own involvement and heaped praise on the members of the public who came forward to assist. ” I did my job – it’s as simple as that. . .” he said. ” I only did what I would expect any officer of the RCIPS to do; however, today once again demonstrated the great community spirit in the Cayman Islands and the selfless acts we see time and time again where members of the public step forward to stand up for what is right. Without the brave actions of those exceptional people today, we may not have effected such quick arrests in connection with this crime.”

Anyone with information about this crime or who may have been in the North Church Street area since 7:30 am on Wednesday 1 December 2014 is asked to call 949 7777 or 800 TIPS to remain anonymous.

Wed, Jan 1, 2014 at 12:10 PM

A fourth suspect was apprehended in relation to the Robbery which occurred at Diamonds International this morning (Wednesday 1 January 2014). One of the four suspects was injured in apprehension and is being treated at the George Town Hospital.

There was also 1 arrest of a male who walked into the store and stole jewelry following the subjects fleeing the commotion immediately after. The jewelry was recovered.

Note: This incident does NOT appear to be a part of the earlier Robbery.

We are not able to confirm that any shots were fired.

There has been 1 firearm recovered which we believe was connected to the robbery.

The RCIPS would like to thank members of the public who were instrumental in the arrest of the suspects, as well as the Commissioner of Police who was directly involved in the arrests.

Anyone who assisted at the scene, or with information about this crime, or who may have been in the North Church Street area since 7:30 am on Wednesday 1 January 2014 is asked to call 949 7777 or 800 TIPS to remain anonymous

From RCIPS Wed, Jan 1, 2014 at 9:04 AM

Police and other emergency crews responded to a report of robbery at a Jewelry Store on North Church Street at 8:30 am 1 January 2014 where shots were fired.

No one was injured from the shooting. Three persons are in custody and the matter is under investigation.

Pedestrians and motorists are asked to avoid North Church Street at this time while the scene is being processed.

Anyone with information about this crime or who may have been in the North Church Street area since 7:30 am on Wednesday 1 December 2014 is asked to call 949 7777 or 800 TIPS to remain anonymous.

CITN/CAYMAN27 are reporting  RCIPS Commissioner David Baines crashed his Chevrolet TrailBlazer into the robbers’ getaway car, which was a green Honda Civic.

They also said taxi and tour operators were also involved in capturing the robbery suspects. A number of them chased down the suspects,  and a tour operator broke an arm during the whole ordeal.

The Jewelry Store was Diamonds International.