The Tribune

ARMED men robbed two different banks on New Providence and Long Island this morning, getting away with an unknown amount of cash, according to police.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, during an afternoon press conference at Police Headquarters, said that one suspect in each case has already been apprehended by police.

Mr Ferguson said two men with handguns robbed First Caribbean bank at the Mall at Marathon at about 11:00 a.m, escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to reports, at least one of the men attempted to escape by bus.

Mr Ferguson said officers responding to the robbery were able to apprehend one of the suspects along with a "substantial amount of money."

"We are confident we have the right person," he said.

In Long Island, two men entered the ScotiaBank in Stella Maris at about 10:30 a.m. carrying shotguns, according to Mr Ferguson.

He said the men robbed the bank of an unknown amount of cash.

Police were able to apprehend one of the suspects, said Mr Ferguson; while two others escaped in an awaiting speed boat.

"Officers are in pursuit of those persons and some time today they ought to be in custody," he said.

"Wherever you are, there is no soft spot. Do not spend that money."

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said he and his team of officers will work late into the night in order to solve these two bank robberies, as wells as continue to search for leads into a deadly shooting that occurred at the Ballers night club at the foot of the New Providence-bound bridge.

"We are still seeking persons of interest and I am micromanaging the investigation," he said.

"We will work into the night and into the weekend."

He also offered thanks to members of the public who have offered substantial leads to police. He added that he is proud of the general public's response to alerting police to illegal weapons on the streets.

And Mr Greenslade sent another appeal to family members and friends of criminals, to turn them in to police.

"They ask us to do our job and then complain when we do the job," he said.

Scotiabank released this statement about the robbery in Stella Maris this afternoon:

"Scotiabank today reported an armed robbery at its Stella Maris branch in Long Island. The Bank reported that on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at about 10:30 a.m., the Bank was robbed by two armed robbers of an undetermined amount of cash. Bank management have confirmed that there were no injuries sustained by staff or customers.

Due to the nature of our business, a robbery is always a possibility. But, we assure the public of our commitment to security and to the safety of our customers and employees. We are working with the Royal Bahamas Police Force in their investigation into this matter.

Bank operations in the Stella Maris branch were suspended for the day and normal banking operations are expected to resume Monday, June 4, 2012."

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