Robbery forces school's closure

Published: Thursday | October 22, 2009


Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Classes at the Green Pond High School in St James were suspended yesterday in the aftermath of a burglary the night before.

Thieves tied up a security guard before stealing electronic equipment, including computers, along with food items from the facility.

When The Gleaner visited the school, the staff was seen cleaning up the mess left behind by the robbers, who numbered about 15 men.

The staff members were also trying to determine the extent of the damage and items stolen.

Principal Michael Ellis was grateful that there was no loss of life and that some of the stolen items were recovered.

Little disruption

"Clearly, these cowards would have wanted to disrupt the operations at the school. But we won't give them that satisfaction because, as soon as the dust is settled, we will be having school and this is as early as tomorrow (this) morning," he said.

"When you (thieves) do something like this, you're hurting yourselves. It is your children who will be affected ... we will continue to do our core duty, which is to educate the nation."

The thieves, some of whom had guns, reportedly entered the school by removing the grille from the door to the administrative office, where they ransacked the principal's office and stole a public address system and a DVD player.

They also broke into the staffroom and computer lab, from which they stole e-learning computers and took a quantity of food items from the school canteen.

However, some of the food items and the PA system were recovered in bushes near the school plant.

"We will have to reassess our security arrangement," Ellis added.

The St James police are urging the public to assist with information in their investigations.

If you can help, call the Mount Salem police at 952-3572 or 952-4997, 119, or the nearest police station.

tashieka.mair@gleanerjm.com

 
 
 
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