Mother, daughter among 8 in custody over foiled Western Union robbery
Published:Tuesday | August 26, 2025 | 12:11 AMGareth Davis Sr/Gleaner Writer
Hope Bay, Portland:
A mother and daughter are among eight people now in police custody following an early-morning robbery attempt at a Western Union outlet in Hope Bay, Portland, on Monday.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m., when several armed men used crowbars to force open a rear door of the establishment. Their intention, according to the police, was to steal cash. However, their plans were swiftly disrupted by an armed guard, who was stationed inside the building.
“He challenged the men and during an exchange of gunfire, one man was hit,“stated Ainsley McCarthy, superintendent of police for the Portland Police Division.
“The police quickly arrived on the scene and took control of the area. A motor car suspected to be one of the vehicles used in the robbery was seized by the police and the driver taken into custody,” he added.
Follow-up operations led to the capture of seven additional suspects, including a mother and her daughter, who are believed to be related to the man shot during the confrontation. A 9mm pistol and several rounds of ammunition were also recovered.
McCarthy confirmed that none of the suspects are from Portland, with their listed addresses spanning St Andrew, Kingston, and St Catherine.
“If your intentions are not good, do not come into the parish,” he warned.
The injured suspect was taken to the Port Antonio Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Another member of the group was also shot, and remains in hospital under police guard.
The Western Union location has been targeted in previous break-ins.
“Everybody proud a di police; and dem arrive on time and work right through the darkness,” commented a man, who gave his name only as Ringo. “A long time dem a bruck business place inna Hope Bay and nobody naah get ketch. All di youth dem use to get blame fi it; but see it yah now, a people from out a town a come in come thief.”