By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
A TRIBUNE photographer was gun-butted outside his home by a two thieves attempting to steal his car and his camera.
Kyle Smith, 21, said he was on his way home around 10:36pm, coming down Tonique Williams Darling Highway, when he overtook two men in a red Honda Coupe.
He said minutes later he noticed the men took every turn he took and realised they were following him home.
“I pulled into my driveway, got out of my car and was going to open the house door. At that moment the car pulled up behind me, and the passenger got out, he had a gun and pointed it right at my head. He said ‘Gimme this car, give me the keys’. I just gave them to him because I did not want to be a hero,” he said.
“He got into the driver’s seat and tried to start the car but he couldn’t so he got out, demanded I empty my pockets and then start the car. At that point he took my cell phone. I got in the car and started it but I also tried to grab my camera. He got mad and gun butted me twice in my head and told me to ‘Leave everything in the car’. My mum pulled up at that time and he just left. It happened so quickly.”
Mr Smith said he wasn’t scared, but he was stalling until someone drove past or came home so they could see the guy. He reported the attack to police and it is being investigated.
Police are also requesting the public’s help with a late night armed robbery in the Eden Estates area. It happened around 10:20pm Wednesday.
Police say the victim was in his driveway when he was forced into his home by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.
The culprits robbed the man of an undisclosed amount of money, a 32” flat screen Panasonic Television, a CD player, a cell phone and other household items. They fled the area in the man’s 2002 Chevy Trailblazer.
A short while later the SUV was recovered by police in High Vista. Investigations are continuing.
Police are encouraging residents to always pay attention to their surroundings and to always be on the alert, become acquainted with their neighbours and be the eyes and ears for each other. Also try to establish an active Neighbourhood Watch and bond together.
For more information on establishing a Neighbourhood Watch in your community, contact the National Crime Prevention Office at 302-8430/1.
Comments
hotep86 11 years, 7 months ago
...you noticed they were following you but you still went home and proceeded to enter your house? Common sense would have told you to head to the nearest police station - I mean the police tell people this all the time!
islander242 11 years, 7 months ago
"He said minutes later he noticed the men took every turn he took and realised they were following him home."
So he thought it would be a good idea to go home with men following him? Hmm...
HolandObserver 11 years, 7 months ago
wow, is this what people do in the midst of a crisis, ie. act foolishly?
henny 11 years, 7 months ago
I agree with all the above. Why wold you proceed to your home knowing you were being followed??? Dumb move.
BoopaDoop 11 years, 7 months ago
The police station is the first choice but calling ahead to someone who can help is also a good alternative. Remain on main roads with traffic and stay on the phone until you get to help.
BahamaBoy 11 years, 7 months ago
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TalRussell 11 years, 7 months ago
Is this really what young Comrade Kyle deserves. No wonder the thugs get the message we are more forgiving of the criminals in our mist, than what actions a 21 year old crime victim may have not taken under such strenuous circumstances.
God help us all, if this is the position victims of crimes will be subjecting themselves to, all in the name of attempting to arrive at one's doorsteps physically unharmed, maybe even dead.
You postings truly shame the spirit of our Bahamaland. Truth is a lot of negativity has been spoken over the past days, out side of this matter that I pray will never reflect the true feelings of both natives and residents among us. We had better learn that we all all on Bahamaland's ship together and if she sinks we all will go down with her. What a damn shame to do such a thing to what still remains one of the most beautiful ships afloat among nations of the world. Do you remember when we were so damn proud to present our Bahamian passports at borders afar and wide? I sure as hell remember.
haitianboy 11 years, 7 months ago
Mr. Russell their simply stating the obvious facts, that the victim did act foolishly. He put others at risk as well…what if his mom was home or some other family member? If he notice he was being followed, common sense should have told him to call the police or head to the nearest police station. My goodness the police are known for advising the public on how to deal with being followed all the time. Do not think for a minute I don’t sympathize for him because I do; it’s like persons continuing to wear flashy jewelry when they know there is a serious demand for gold by thieves. It all boils down to common sense.
John 11 years, 7 months ago
The good thing is that he escaped with a few gun butts and the loss of his car camera and cell phone. If he had stopped on the highway it could have been different, but it was not a good decision to drive home. One thing worse than getting robbed outside youe home is getting home, rushing inside, locking the door and thinking you are safe only to find some inside waiting to rob you. It is bad enough when they rob you and leave but these days they want to cut a movie. They want to cause bodily harm, and many times these robbers and home invaders are drunk or high and not fully consious of what they are doinf. That is the scary part.
TalRussell 11 years, 7 months ago
You Friday morning armchair quarterbacks may think it's cute to use young Kyle for your amateur research project 's psychology class, about how best he should have reacted to a thug's "still unclear true intentions?" But isn't it more fun, than to dwell on the social behavior of the thug?
To be honest, with such evident behavior on this blog, let the class begin, as I sure as hell would love to research how your brain's really function ... and you're not even under the threat of possibly experiencing one or more thugs ugly intentions?
jo 11 years, 7 months ago
If you notice someone is following you, never ever go home! Stay on the main roads in well lit areas and go to the police station! If possible try to get as much information about the car and/or the driver as you can (ie car color, car model, license plate, sex of driver). BoopaDoop comment about calling someone and staying on the phone with them until help arrives is great advice as well. Thank God he was not seriously injured and his mother arrived after the thief left. Although all of this could have been avoided, take this as a very valuable lesson Mr. Smith
retsof18 11 years, 7 months ago
Man it's sad knowing you can not drive home safely anymore! If you relised that you are being followed, drive to a nearest police station or the nearest fill up/ gas station & then sound your vehicle hound like you are crazy! Please do not drive home! But, Something seriously needs to be done with these criminals, & fast! It seems as if these criminals are being spit out by a demon clan! I am sorry for the reporter. Peace.
diva_dbm 11 years, 7 months ago
I remember when I was around that age and I was going home late one night. I saw this car driving behind me and making every turn I made, so when I got close to home I turned through a different corner, turned around in someone's yard and headed back the way I came. The car did the same thing! So I went back to the main road and headed for the police station. When the stinker caught on, he went away and I was able to drive home safely. Even in the middle of the day I am alert to see if anyone is following me. It's a shame the young man was robbed but this is a lesson learned that he will hopefully adhere to the rest of his life.
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