The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

PRESIDENT and Managing Director of Kerzner International George Markantonis denied claims yesterday that Bahamians would no longer be allowed on the hotel property following a botched robbery in the Atlantis casino Sunday afternoon.

As word spread of the failed heist, rumours began to circulate that Bahamians would be banned from the Atlantis Resort and Casino.

Mr Markantonis, however, put those rumours to rest. He said there will be “no changes in the current policy.”

“Atlantis has no intention on changing its present access policies when it comes to Bahamians on the property,” he said.

“We are very confident and comfortable in our security teams and security systems as you can see they are very efficient. All of the heads of our security departments are former officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force so we have no reason to put measures in place to stop Bahamians from enjoying the property. It was obviously not a very smart individual to pull a stunt like this. We are a high profile property with the best in security. Our teams are very good.”

Police have five men in custody in connection with the failed robbery of the Atlantis cash cage in the casino.

Four of them are current employees while one is said to be a former employee.

Three of the men entered the cash cage Sunday afternoon and sprayed pepper spray in the air. When the employees ran for their safety the men collected two bags of cash and put them in the ceiling. One of the men was caught in the ceiling, two others attempting to leave the hotel.

Police arrested the last two men hours after the incident.

In 2009, Atlantis changed its policy regarding Bahamian minors on the property after two security guards were shot in two separate incidents.

At that time scores of teenagers used the Marina Village as a hangout.

Following the shootings, Mr Markantonis said only minors who are accompanied by adults will be allowed entrance into the resort or Marina Village.

Police say that at that time two security officers attached to the Atlantis Security Department were on routine patrol at Marina Village when they observed two young men acting suspiciously.

When the officers asked the young men to leave, one of them pulled out a handgun and shot both officers.

Troy Feast, 33, received a single gunshot wound and Dwayne DeCosta, 46, who is also a police reservist, received multiple gunshot wounds, according to police.

The two teen suspects, 17 and 19, were arrested and later charged.