Says she fears for surrounding businesses
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A business proprietor who was robbed of an undisclosed sum of money on Friday (Sept. 27) has expressed her sadness over the matter and stated that she is fearful that it may not only happen to her again, but the neighbouring businesses as well.
SKNVibes spoke with Cindy, the owner of a very popular store named Cost U Less on Fort Street, Basseterre best known for its hair products, who said that she does not want other businesses to suffer the loss that hers had.
Cindy recounted the chilling experience of that Friday night when she was robbed by two armed men.
She said that at about 9:30 p.m. after she had closed and secured her store, she was walking towards her car when two unmasked men, wearing black shirts and black hats with "big guns" approached her.
The store owner said they demanded her money, which she handed over to them without hesitation for fear of losing her life. She said that immediately following the incident she had called the police, who, a short while after, arrived at the scene of the crime.
Cindy disclosed that a number of men were seated outside of her store from about 8:00 that night but she thought nothing of it, because "people sit outside my store all the time".
The proprietor said she was shocked beyond belief that such an act could have taken place on a night that is usually busy and at a location that is more often than not crowded.
She said that police officers regularly patrolled the area in the past but their presence has not been as heavy as it used to be.
Another proprietor of a neighbouring business said that a number of men were seen outside of Cost U Less some three evenings in a row prior to the robbery, but, like Cindy, she thought nothing of their “liming” because it was customary for people to hang around the area.
She said that when she closes her store she usually goes over to Cindy's and tell her that she was leaving and to be careful, "but it just so happen that I did not go that night".
She, too, expressed shock at the robbery, given that Fort Street is a generally crowded street especially on Friday nights.
Cindy, as well as the neighbouring business owners, expressed fear of another robbery taking place and stated that heavier police presence would be of great assistance to the businesses, as the criminals would have more difficulty fulfilling their intentions.
One businessperson said that even one or two police officers patrolling the area regularly in the evenings on the weekends would put them at ease. “In doing that, we would not have to lockdown too early and we could better serve our customers.”
Cindy however declared that she would not let the incident deter her from serving her loyal customers, noting that she would continue with her regular opening hours but would close early on slow evenings.
"I don't even want the money back! I just don't want it to happen to the other businesses. It's very sad you know," she added.
The police have since issued a press release stating that “anyone having information pertaining to this incident is ask to call the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 465-2241 ext 220, or, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477. Remember, you information will be treated with confidence, and you may be eligible to receive a reward”.
