A brazen attempt to steal and destroy an ATM belonging to the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union (BPWCCUL) at Trimart Supermarket in Mile and a Quarter, St Peter has left residents and credit union officials alarmed.
The early morning incident which Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite confirmed is being investigated as an act of criminal damage, occurred around 3:15 a.m., with four men attempting to remove the ATM from its base. The ATM was rendered inoperable, the BPWCCUL’s Acting Group CEO LeVere Catlyn confirmed in a statement.
Although speculation on social media suggested the use of hydraulic cutting tools like the jaws of life, police have not confirmed those reports.
Catlyn said the BPWCCUL was “deeply disturbed” by the vandalism and damage to the ATM. He said the incident was a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and community safety.
The BPWCCUL official praised the swift response of law enforcement, saying that the credit union was confident of the ability of The Barbados Police Service to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Catlyn also announced that the BWPCCUL was taking immediate steps to reinforce security protocols across all its locations, “and will continue to invest in technologies and partnerships that protect our infrastructure and community.”
During a visit by Barbados TODAY to the area, one resident voiced her agitation, noting the audacity of the perpetrators.
She said that criminals now operate with little regard for surveillance. “They don’t care about the cameras,” she lamented.
Pointing to the security guard stationed near the ATM, she added: “His shift only starts when the supermarket opens, but there are cameras to protect persons who are coming to the ATM, who are using the ATM, but they just don’t care…. They just don’t care.”
Sharing her own experience with a robbery at her home, she stressed the importance of personal vigilance.
“I have cameras all around my house, and people came, took things, and didn’t care. But I was able to show the police evidence to identify them,” the resident said.
“You’ve got to start looking out for yourself and getting protection… because it’s getting worse here.”
louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb
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