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<span style="font-weight: bold">GUNMEN ROB FOOD AT 'DEAD YARD' - Masked thugs leave 'set-up' with curried goat, chicken and soup </span>
RASBERT TURNER/ DWAYNE McLEOD, STAR Writers
A group of masked, heavily armed men who held up a 'dead yard' in Whitehouse, St Catherine, last week were not out to steal valuables. They simply wanted food.
They got it, leaving with containers with curried goat, chicken and soup. The mourners were unharmed but shocked at the incident.
"Even now I still cannot believe that the man dem a tief food off a fire," remarked one woman.
Checks by THE STAR found this to be the latest of several brazen attacks committed by a group of at least seven men said to be terrorising residents of Whitehouse and surrounding areas.
personal belongings
The incident reportedly began unfolding some time around 2:30 a.m. on Friday while some mourners were making their way to the 'set-up'.
Reports are that at least 14 people heading to the 'set-up' were robbed of cash, cellphones and other personal belongings after being forced into a yard and ordered to fork out everything they had. The gunmen afterwards made their way to the set-up and also conducted a robbery there.
The men are said to have approached the mourners and told them they did not want to cause any physical harm, but, needed the food.
"One of the men, who seemed to be the leader, walked over and said, 'sorry to disturb you but the men need to be fed'," an alleged witness said.
When THE STAR visited the community yesterday, residents spoke of a frightening situation which has them afraid to walk the streets of their community, regardless of the time. "Yea, man, a dem ting deh a gwaan roun ya, a true ting man...," Bubba, a resident said yesterday.
daring robberies
The residents and police claim the 'set-up' robbery was not the first time the men had committed such a daring act. They are said to be behind a number of robberies committed in the community within the last six weeks.
Whereas the police did not give an exact figure, they admitted that they are concerned about the actions of the men. As such, they have increased their presence in the community.
"About two to three weeks ago, Whitehouse was hot, hot, hot but we are working towards getting these men," a policeman at the Ewarton Police Station said.
The cops theorise most of the men are not from the area and were imported to the community by a resident who was taken into custody last week.
Residents have dubbed the men, the 'Anything Crew', saying they leave nothing behind when they commit their crimes. "Di man dem tek anyting and nuh business," Bubba said.
It is also claimed they walk about the community, brandishing 'long' guns and committing crimes.
About a week ago the men allegedly broke into a woman's house and took all her food while interrogating her about a vehicle she had.
Names changed to protect identity.
RASBERT TURNER/ DWAYNE McLEOD, STAR Writers
A group of masked, heavily armed men who held up a 'dead yard' in Whitehouse, St Catherine, last week were not out to steal valuables. They simply wanted food.
They got it, leaving with containers with curried goat, chicken and soup. The mourners were unharmed but shocked at the incident.
"Even now I still cannot believe that the man dem a tief food off a fire," remarked one woman.
Checks by THE STAR found this to be the latest of several brazen attacks committed by a group of at least seven men said to be terrorising residents of Whitehouse and surrounding areas.
personal belongings
The incident reportedly began unfolding some time around 2:30 a.m. on Friday while some mourners were making their way to the 'set-up'.
Reports are that at least 14 people heading to the 'set-up' were robbed of cash, cellphones and other personal belongings after being forced into a yard and ordered to fork out everything they had. The gunmen afterwards made their way to the set-up and also conducted a robbery there.
The men are said to have approached the mourners and told them they did not want to cause any physical harm, but, needed the food.
"One of the men, who seemed to be the leader, walked over and said, 'sorry to disturb you but the men need to be fed'," an alleged witness said.
When THE STAR visited the community yesterday, residents spoke of a frightening situation which has them afraid to walk the streets of their community, regardless of the time. "Yea, man, a dem ting deh a gwaan roun ya, a true ting man...," Bubba, a resident said yesterday.
daring robberies
The residents and police claim the 'set-up' robbery was not the first time the men had committed such a daring act. They are said to be behind a number of robberies committed in the community within the last six weeks.
Whereas the police did not give an exact figure, they admitted that they are concerned about the actions of the men. As such, they have increased their presence in the community.
"About two to three weeks ago, Whitehouse was hot, hot, hot but we are working towards getting these men," a policeman at the Ewarton Police Station said.
The cops theorise most of the men are not from the area and were imported to the community by a resident who was taken into custody last week.
Residents have dubbed the men, the 'Anything Crew', saying they leave nothing behind when they commit their crimes. "Di man dem tek anyting and nuh business," Bubba said.
It is also claimed they walk about the community, brandishing 'long' guns and committing crimes.
About a week ago the men allegedly broke into a woman's house and took all her food while interrogating her about a vehicle she had.
Names changed to protect identity.
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