Haffu One – By Azara Lavia
Haffu One Thief Ketch
What began as an attempt to cash a stolen cheque at Sammy’s Supermarket quickly developed into a tense confrontation that ended with four suspects being detained and handed over to police.
Speaking exclusively to Observer Media, Managing Director of Sammy’s Supermarket, Samico Diaz, said the incident unfolded at approximately 4:09 p.m. on Tuesday when a young man and woman entered the business on lower All Saints Road and attempted to cash a stolen cheque.
Diaz said the behaviour of the pair immediately roused his suspicions.
According to the businessman, he observed their movements before confronting them. He said he detained the duo at gunpoint and took them to the rear of the supermarket, where he began questioning them.
“Ya haffu be one thief for ketch one thief,” he said, using the local expression to explain the level of alertness sometimes needed to recognise suspicious conduct.
Diaz said he searched the pair and discovered that they had a cutlass and a knife in their possession.
During the exchange, Diaz said the pair disclosed that two others were waiting outside and were also involved in the alleged scheme.
He then went outside, where he encountered two masked individuals. Diaz said he also detained them and took them to the back of the supermarket, bringing the total number of suspects to four.
Police were contacted, and Diaz said officers from the Special Services Unit responded swiftly and took control of the situation.
He praised the SSU officers for their quick response and the manner in which they handled the matter.
Diaz added that injuries were sustained during the ordeal, but did not provide further details.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, he said his employees are coping well and do not require counselling or other support.
He described his staff as strong and said they remained composed throughout the ordeal.
Diaz is urging other business owners to remain vigilant and pay close attention to unusual behaviour around their establishments.
He said that business owners must always be aware of their surroundings, noting that it was the behaviour of the individuals that first caught his attention.
The four suspects were taken into police custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the Police Administration, in a press statement, is encouraging all business owners, financial institutions, and employees who process financial transactions to remain on heightened alert when dealing with cheques and other negotiable instruments.
The police further cautioned businesses to carefully verify the authenticity of cheques, confirm the identity of individuals presenting them, and report any suspicious transactions to the police immediately.
