Robbers target Orange Grove!

Residents of the upscale community of Orange Grove in Stony Hill, St Andrew, have decided to increase the security around their homes after several persons were assaulted recently in one of a series of almost weekly robberies in the area.

At least three public figures who live in Orange Grove are among those robbed and assaulted in recent times, with one victim still suffering lasting effects of the injuries sustained when he was robbed last year.

"We had a meeting recently at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel and we discussed the issue of crime that is affecting the community. Almost every week, there is a robbery and people are suffering from serious injuries from these attacks," said one resident who asked not to be named.

He said the residents have already received quotations from security companies to patrol the area, and they are planning to make the community a gated one.

Late last week, the police claimed that they had increased their presence in the area as they are aware of criminals targeting the residents, particularly the elderly.

"We can't speak to the nature of the robberies, but we can confirm that a number of the cases involve the elderly. We have two men in custody and they are to face identification parades," said one cop who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak.

He said the robbers enter the community in cars and attack their victims before fleeing.

One victim, Glen Tucker, said weeks ago, he became another victim of a bloody assault and robbery which is plaguing Orange Grove and other sections of Stony Hill.

"I was in an upstairs room at my house watching TV in the early afternoon. Into the room stepped an armed man. He 'cocked' the trigger, pointed the gun at my face, and ordered me to 'stan up,' said Tucker.

According to Tucker, the gunman demanded "gun and money" before launching his own search.

"Then I saw my helper appear, ushered by another masked man. When they gathered all they wanted, I was put on the floor and a gun was moved in the direction of my head. My low tolerance for pain, coupled with my refusal to have my belongings taken away in this fashion, spurred me to action. What followed was a bloody affair. And most of the blood was mine," Tucker wrote in a letter to The Gleaner.

SOPHISTICATED SECURITY SYSTEMS

He said residents are now forced to install sophisticated electronic security systems, but despite the efforts, they are still subjected to robberies and assault.

Veteran journalist Ken Chaplain was also attacked in his Stony Hill house by three men armed with guns.

They put me and the helper to lie face down on the floor, and my wife, who is very ill, to sit on a rocking chair. One held a handgun against my ear, while the other two ransacked the house and tore off my chain with medal around my neck.

"They also took my watch, which I bought for $l0, 000, and the apparent leader of the gang described it as a cheap watch, and returned it to me. In the process of the roughing up, I wet myself," wrote the public servant who served as press secretary to at least three former prime ministers.