Three separate incidents of theft and breaking and entering at businesses across Antigua in the space of one week have prompted concern about a pattern of property crime targeting commercial establishments, with police investigating all three matters and indicating that useful information has already been obtained in at least one case.
The incidents occurred between June 16 and June 19, with businesses in Fort Road, Belmont, and All Saints all falling victim to criminal activity within days of each other.
Fort Road: Cash Disappears in Under an Hour
The most recent incident occurred on the morning of June 19 at a commercial establishment on Fort Road, where an unknown person entered an office and removed approximately EC$1,500 from a drawer. The money had been left unattended for less than an hour — between 9:00 and 9:50 a.m. — while a staff member stepped away to an adjoining supermarket. Upon her return, the cash was discovered missing.
Several employees were subsequently interviewed by investigators, and sources indicate that useful information was obtained during those interviews. Inquiries are continuing.
Belmont: Construction Site Targeted, Power Drill Stolen
In a separate matter, a power drill was stolen from a building under construction in Belmont sometime between midday on June 18 and 7:00 a.m. the following morning. According to reports, an intruder used an implement to force open a deadbolt lock on a northern metal door, gained access to the premises, and removed the tool from a table inside before leaving through the same entry point.
A search of the surrounding area did not recover the stolen item, and the value of the drill has not yet been determined.
