Published On:Tuesday, March 09, 2010

By MEGAN REYNOLDS

Tribune Staff Reporter

mreynolds@tribunemedia.net

SUPER Value owner Rupert Roberts has spoken out about how he and his wife were robbed at gunpoint in their home to warn others of the risk of home invasions in East Nassau.

The 72-year-old business owner said the armed robber made a silent entry to his home as he and his wife were getting ready for bed just before 7.30pm on Wednesday and appeared in the bedroom "like a ghost."

The gunman had climbed to an upstairs balcony and quietly kicked in the French double doors with soft-soled shoes while Mr Roberts and his wife were changing down the hall.

"He came in like a ghost," Mr Roberts said.

"He just appeared, materialised there and said, 'Where's the cash?'"

The intruder indicated towards Mr Roberts' safe and asked him to open it and take out his gun, but Mr Roberts diverted his attention to avoid bringing another firearm into the room.

He and his wife Margaret, 68, followed the armed robber's instructions to lead him downstairs to the bathroom where Mr Roberts kept his wallet and car keys.

Their assailant took these and shut the couple in the bathroom while he attempted his escape.

However, he returned moments later to ask for Mr Roberts to help him negotiate the door locks, before sending him back to the bathroom while he got away in Mr Roberts' van.

Although the supermarket owner said he was somewhat unfazed by the intrusion as he has been robbed at gunpoint dozens of times, his wife has been exhausted by the trauma and unable to sleep soundly since.

He warned east Nassau residents to be particularly vigilant and advises anyone in such a situation to remain calm.

Mr Roberts said: "I just thought we have got to get this guy out of here, so give him what he wants, help him along, and get him out of here.

"That is what I have done the many times I have been looking down the barrel of a gun; go along with them and don't scream.

"I knew the quicker I got to know him the more comfortable everybody was going to be."

The home invasion was followed by the similar armed robbery of a 26-year-old woman in her Prince Charles Drive home at 9pm on Saturday.

She told The Tribune how she and her friend were getting ready to go out when the intruder unscrewed two lightbulbs outside to enter the property under the cover of darkness.

He appeared in the bedroom and forced them at gunpoint to give him cash, their cellular telephones and two laptop computers.

Like Mr Roberts, the young women were told to wait in the bathroom while the gunman made his escape.

"He wanted to steal the cars but I told him they weren't working," the 26-year-old said.

"I remained calm, but as I was looking at that gun I studied that gun. That was the only thing I could see."

Police arrived within five minutes of the gunman's escape but did not chase him or take fingerprints, the woman said.

However, Mr Roberts was impressed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force's (RBPF) handling of his case.

RBPF press officer Sgt Chrislyn Skippings said: "Police are doing a lot of good stuff in that area but at the same time we need citizens to keep a watchful eye and be aware of surroundings, taking all precautions."

Information that may assist police investigations should be reported to Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 328-TIPS (8477) or call police urgently on 919 or 911.