Another attack on Jamaica’s Beryllium team, guards escaped unharmed

Jamaica’s Beryllium security team once again was attacked by gunmen in an attempted robbery on Wednesday in St Elizabeth.

Reports are that the attackers opened fire at the Beryllium Limited-owned vehicle and its occupants at about 1 pm after an attempt to block the road.

However, the security team escaped unharmed with the contents in the vehicle. The vehicle sustained minor damage.

The first incident occurred in February when armed men attacked a Beryllium security team at the automated teller machine (ATM) at JN Bank at Portmore Pines Plaza in St Catherine.

One team member was killed.

In March, gunmen again attacked Beryllium security officers who were depositing funds at a Scotiabank ATM. The armed robbers escaped with more than $23 million.

Reports are that six people are now in custody in relation to that incident.

According to reports, the Jamaican police are taking action to stop the wave of attacks on sources that handle large amounts of cash, like ATMs and courier services.

The commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, stated at a digital press conference from police headquarters on Tuesday that since the long arm of the law has been cutting off sources of money, criminals have been moving to significant cash-ready sources like ATMs and courier services.

He noted that gangs turn to robberies of high cash amounts to fund their illicit activities, as law enforcement impacts their various sources of income.

“ATMs, business persons handling and transporting high amounts of cash, and armored courier services have been the main target,” he added.

Of the six held, one man is facing 12 charges resulting from the Sunday, March 19, attack on the security team at Braeton Parkway in Portmore.