Police in Clarendon are reporting that attempted bank and ATM robberies in the parish are fast becoming a trend.

Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, police said there have been four attempts since August, where either a bank or its Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was the subject of a theft or attempted robbery.

Less than three months after trying to break into a National Commercial Bank (NCB) ATM in Chapelton, Clarendon, criminals yesterday returned and attempted to rob the bank where it is located.

Entered bank through the roof

Constable Camay Watson, Constabulary Communication Network’s liaison officer for the parish, said police believe the would-be robbers entered the bank through the roof. “They gained entry into the bank by cutting a hole in the roof,” she said. “We suspect that this was done between 6:45 p.m., November 7 and 5:45 a.m. yesterday.”

She said while in the bank, the men went into a vault, which they thought had money but only stored documents. The criminals, apparently upset, set the documents ablaze and fled.

Yesterday’s occurrence was the fourth such case in Clarendon in the last three months. Police said these attempts represent a new criminal trend. As such, they have stepped up patrols in business districts.

The first attempt came after Tropical Storm Gustav in August when thugs broke into the ATM at the bank. The second incident occurred when robbers stole a NCB ATM from the Petcom service station along the Toll Gate main road. The quick response of the Lionel Town police prevented the third theft last month along Bustamante Drive.

Courtesy: Jamaica Star