by Vivian Tyson -SUN Senior Editor

One of three robbers allegedly trying to break into Gold Smith Duty Free jewelry store located at Central Square in Providenciales, in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, November 18, was reportedly caught red-handed by members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on a quick response.

The police did not release the man’s name; instead referred to him only as a Turks and Caicos Islander. They are also unable to tell who his accomplices were.

According to Sergeant Calvin Chase, the Media Liaison Officer for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, at about 2a.m., on Wednesday, the police received information that a break-in was in progress at Central Square, and dispatched a team to investigate the report.

“The Police acting on information received caught a Turks and Caicos Islander red-handed as he was burglarizing Goldsmith 1 located in Central Square Providenciales,” Sergeant Chase said.

According to Sergeant Chase, during the process the police also seized a number of tools used in carrying out burglaries. When contacted, a representative at Gold Smith told The SUN that it would have been very difficult for the men to enter the building, since it is one of the most secured enterprises at Central Square. Notwithstanding, the representative said the management was thrilled that someone was caught and praised the police for their effort.

Sergeant Chase attributed the apprehension of the man to the new initiative implemented by the police in recent weeks, saying that the police high command has revamped the way it patrols the streets of Providenciales, in a bid to rid it of criminal elements.

“The Police have revised their patrol patterns and increase the tension to areas that have been affected by burglaries, and will continue to strengthen that approach over the upcoming days and weeks. Our objectives are to take these criminals off the streets and make the residents and visitors of Turks and Caicos Islands feel safer,” Sergeant Chase said.

Central Square is no stranger to robberies, especially in recent weeks, as the Provo Discount Pharmacy, located a stone’s throw away was held up and robbed by gunmen twice in almost weeks. On both occasions, the criminals made off with petty cash.