By Hopeton Bucknor – STAR Writer—

Two weeks after armed motorcyclists robbed a Chinese business operator of more than $5 million in Lucea, Hanover, robbers targeted another Chinese operator on Monday, this time in Reading, St James.

The robbers made off with more than $8 million cash during the daring daylight robbery at the Reading and Long Hill intersection.

Reports are that about 11 a.m., the 29-year-old man, who operates a supermarket in Anchovy, left his business place to do a lodgement of cash amounting to J$8.5 million at a bank at Fairview complex.

While waiting at the stoplight, three masked men armed with guns pulled up in a white motor car behind him.

The men jumped from the vehicle and robbed the business operator of cash and documents. However, according to Superintendent Vernon Ellis, commanding officer for St James, the police responded quickly, which led to three suspects being taken into custody. However, no money has been recovered yet.

Ellis told THE STAR that this incident was one of many situations where persons are driving around with large sums of cash.

“This poses a danger to their own safety,” he said. “These persons, which include business operators, contractors … are being instructed to use the relevant avenues to transport cash,” he continued.

REDUCTION IN ROBBERIES

But Ellis said that despite this latest robbery, St James is seeing a more than 60 per cent reduction in robberies.

“We are seeing a decrease in robberies since we have implemented the new security measures. With the help of the CCTV cameras, the quick response motorcycle teams, and additional patrols, we were able to provide a more adequate security presence in and around the areas where these robbers normally target. “

Yangsan Li, vice-president of Fujan Association of Jamaica, the body which represents Chinese nationals, told THE STAR that Chinese business operators in western Jamaica are being targeted by robbers.

“It is very hard for the Chinese to do business in Jamaica, very hard. They have to work day and night and in the end there is no profit,” Li said. (But) “The police are also working with us, and they now have in place a swift response team where if an incident takes place an any Chinese business place within the town, they can reach the location within five minutes.”