The store employee caught in the midst of Saturday’s brazen early evening armed robbery of Henry’s Pantry and Liquor Store is said to be experiencing post traumatic stress as a result of the harrowing incident.
The disheartened mother of the popular worker weighed in on social media, announcing deep concern for the welfare of her child.
“The worker is my son, he was all alone,” the mother posted. “He is shaken up and nervous, but OK.”
With the event believed to be the second such theft involving alleged violence at the popular South Shore establishment, area residents, past employees and contributors to social media have made calls for enhanced security measures and deterrents to potential thieves be put in place.
Suggestions put forward include the on-site stationing of a full-time security guard, installment of panic alarms, as well as the erection of a sturdy, transparent protective structure to encapsulate the cash register area, to aid in the safeguarding of customer service personnel.
When contacted by TNN, Paul King, the company’s managing director agreed that that current security levels would have to be investigated and discussed, with a view toward minimising the success potential of criminals harbouring thoughts of carrying out similar unlawful acts.
“Obviously it’s something that can be considered and should be considered,” said Mr King. “I’ll be meeting with the manager tomorrow Monday to decide on the best way forward.
“Obviously we want to consider what is spacious, what is secure and, if these things will work, what we can do about implementing some.”
According to Mr King there are camera’s in place at the site, however there was a need for greater area coverage and operational capacity to improve system effectiveness, monitorship to help in the potection of product and, most impofortantly, the safety of employees.
“We do have cameras, but the thing is that we need more,’ he said.
Further, while the acquisition of ready cash appeared the objective of the two alleged males involved in the weekend heist, liquor stores are known to be a popular target for thieves or varying varieties, due to the manner and popularity of the consumerables they stock.
Whether it be wine, top-shelf liquor, or beer, alcohol products are highly targeted items that cost retailers significant losses every year, with some of the reasons for alcohol’s standing as a high theft item being: ready availability; ease of concealment; high resale value; addictive nature; lack of product security (unless a high-value item).
While less prevalent in Bermuda, many United States retailers have chosen to adopt viable, cost-effective options for securing alcohol products, with some combining Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) technology with security tags or labels explicitly designed for wines, spirits, and other liquor products.
For some, this combination of tags, while positioning the EAS system near the point of sale has helped to significantly reduce alcohol theft and improve retailers’ bottom line.
A released BPS statement describing the incident read: “Shortly before 6:15pm on Saturday 7th of January 2023, Police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Henry’s Pantry and Liquor Store, South Shore Road, Southampton.
Early reports suggest that two men, one armed with a knife, entered the store and made demands for money.
A store employee handed over an unknown sum of cash to the assailants, who then left the store riding a motorcycle in an easterly direction along South Road.
Suspects are described two dark skinned males.
One, approximately 5’ 6” tall, the other, approximately 6’ tall, both, medium built wearing dark clothing and shoes. Both suspects also wore gloves and black helmets wearing gloves.
Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area between 5:45pm and 6:15pm, is urged to contact police on 211 or the confidential Crime Stoppers number on 800-8477.
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