The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A ROYAL Bank of Canada manager and his assistant were abducted at gunpoint in Abaco by two masked men, who attempted to rob the bank’s branch in Marsh Harbour early yesterday morning.

The incident occurred shortly after 2 am, according to police.

It was reported that manager Julius Seymour was held at gunpoint by two masked men in front of his home and taken to the Royal Bank.

According to sources the suspects were trying to get the vault code and key when they discovered that more than one person was needed to open the bank. They then took Mr Seymour to the home of the bank’s assistant manager, Ms Sylvia Poitier. She was also held up at gunpoint, and taken to the bank to assist the manager in opening the bank’s front door.

Reports from Abaco claim that a resident was at the bank’s ATM machine when the burglars’ “look-out man” pointed a gun at him. In no uncertain terms he was told there would be no withdrawals that night. He was ordered to move on. The resident jumped in his car, quickly drove off and notified the police. Local reports claim that this took place around 10pm. However, the official police report said that the bank was robbed at 2am.

Once inside the bank, the silent alarm was activated and the culprits fled on foot.

Supt Noel Curry, Officer in charge of the Abaco District, said no one was harmed and nothing was taken from the bank.

He said detectives from Nassau are assisting local police with their investigations.

Police are asking anyone who might have information to call them at 367-2536, 367- 3437, 911 or 919 or at the Central Detective Unit in Grand Bahama at 350-3107, 350-3108, 911 or 919.

An Abaco resident said that robberies are on the increase in Abaco. He said that the Island Bakery on Don McKay Boulevard, Marsh Harbour, was entered at about 4am recently when two men, smashed the bakery’s glass door, rushed to the back of the shop, grabbed a staff member’s purse and rushed out again.

And a few days ago, he said, a knock came to a resident’s front door. When the home owner opened the door, he was faced with a man and a gun. His home was robbed.

Meanwhile police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating three men wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of 26-year-old Gregory Bain.

Bain was shot in the back and killed around 3am on Sunday at Sandy Point Motel after getting into an argument with a group of young men believed to be Haitians. Three people are wanted for questioning.

Supt Curry said police have several men in custody in connection with the killing, but are looking for three others.

Police want 20-year-old Deon Paul, 20-year-old Kendy Mondesir both of Pigeon Pea, Abaco, and 20-year-old Wilkenson Garson of the Mud, Marsh Harbour to assist them in their investigations.

They are described as being armed and extremely dangerous.

Anyone with information of their whereabouts are asked to contact Marsh Harbour Police at 367- 2560, 367-3437 or the nearest police station.

In other crime news, Marsh Harbour police are investigating a fire that completely destroyed a building early Monday morning.

Police say sometime around 8am they received a call that a building in Sand Bank, Treasure Cay, was on fire.

Treasure Cay Fire and Rescue responded and found a six-room structure engulfed in flames. The building was completely destroyed.

Police say the estimated cost of the damage is unknown at this time. However, the building was not insured.

Investigations are continuing.