Thieves target businesses

(CNS): Police are investigating a string of attempted burglaries in George Town last night (Wednesday 13 August into Thursday 14 August), in which seven commercial properties in George Town were targeted.

Police were alerted to the situation at 4.50 am by a Security Centre employee who had responded to an alarm sounding at Massive Equipment Rentals, Industrial Way, George Town. Police who attended the scene found a further five properties damaged. A second call was received from a Cayman Free Press employee at 5.25 am reporting the seventh break-in.

At this time Scenes of Crime Officers are processing each scene and detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department are recording statements from business owners. At this point it appears that only five of the properties were actually entered. While the other two were damaged, access does not appear to have been gained. At this time it is not known what, if anything, has been taken from each business.

“Clearly this is not a target against one business but more of a random attack on several,” said Chief Inspector Peter Kennett. “It is possible that the culprit or culprits were under the impression that security alarms would not go off due to the earlier power cut. However, almost all security systems have a back up system for power outage situations.”

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) is appealing for anyone with information about the break-ins to come forward. “Although we cannot be sure of when the first break-in occurred, thanks to the security equipment fitted at Massive, we know that a window was smashed at 4.30am.

Anyone who was passing around this time who saw anyone in the area, perhaps loitering or acting suspiciously, should contact Detective Constable Charmane Dalhouse at George Town police station on 949-4222.”