#TurksandCaicos, November 3, 2021 – A multi sectoral meeting involving police, government and the banking sector has required better security for residents as they are banking; the meeting followed two parking lot ambushes which resulted in both male victims being shot by assailants, one of them was Alpheus Gardiner, a retired and celebrated civil servant who later died.
Police have not made any arrests in either case, and on Friday October 29 another armed robbery happened and again, the victim was shot by assailants who stole the vehicle and a big cash withdrawal from the bank.
Police confirmed the man was shot multiple times and taken to hospital.
Reports from the scene explain it was near a construction site in the Blue Mountain area of Providenciales and while police only reported a pink Toyota Passo stolen in its official report on the crime; our news company has learned the man who was attacked was in possession of an entire payroll.
During an October 19 meeting chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams, “it was reiterated the need for commercial banks especially to improve the security arrangements for their operation as well as the technical and human resources needed to prevent long lines; which can contribute to vulnerability to opportunistic criminals for targeted crime.
H.E. Williams also highlighted the importance of the mandatory vetting process for both security and bank personnel before being hired.”
It had been circulated that – in the case of Gary James, a pastry chef at the Mango Reef restaurant and Alphaeus Gardiner, a retired permanent secretary and businessman of North Caicos – both men had recently left the bank when they were caught unawares by men, masked and armed.
There has been a commitment between the Banking Association and the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force to strengthen their investigative measures in hopes of creating better outcomes and a faster resolution rate.
The Royal TCI Police have also met with the Member of Parliament of Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Hon Sammy Been.
Police Commissioner, acting Kendall Grant shared in a media statement that the MP will help police to bridge the gap to raise the level of trust between residents of Kew Town and Dock Yard and the Royal TCI Police.
