Police are cautioning motorists against stopping for strangers, and to be alert when slowing down for obstructions in the road while traversing the roadways especially late at night. Photo: VINO

Two reports over the weekend lead Police to believe that criminal elements may be targeting unsuspecting motorists in the late night.

In one reported case of attempted robbery on Friday evening, a male and female were charged after they were linked to a Suzuki Grand Vitara found overturned on an embankment near the apartment of the victim of the attempted robbery. The apartment owner in Belle Vue identified the vehicle as resembling the one which earlier tried to run him off the road near his home and the one which was chased by his landlord near the same address.

The owner reported that upon arrival at his apartment, he saw a black male hiding behind a wall near the entrance of his apartment. When he knew he was seen, the assailant jumped the wall and fled on foot.

The two, Glenmore Johnson, 22, of Josiahs Bay and Raysa Henley, 25, of West End, have so far been charged with making a false report to the police. Henley has been charged with theft and criminal trespass. Several traffic-related charges were also preferred against both persons.

In another reported case around 2:45am Sunday morning, a second victim reported that he was driving home in the Greenland area when he saw a male standing in the middle of the road. When he stopped, another male wearing a mask approached him with a gun. The two fled the scene on foot with the victim’s money and a gold chain.

Head of the Crime Division Acting Detective Superintendent Alexis Charles views this as an emerging trend and cites the need for vigilance.

“This clearly appears to be an emerging trend. This type of modus operandi in perpetrating a robbery is uncommon here in the Territory and I would urge motorists to take all necessary precautions when travelling the roadways, particularly at nights. Use the car horn to alert those in the area or on the roadway about something or someone suspicious but do not stop especially in isolated areas,” he said.

Police encourage persons especially at night to travel with company, to pay special attention to surroundings, to travel only in well-lit areas and to avoid wearing heavy jewelry or traveling with large amounts of cash. 

Persons are asked to report any suspicious behaviour immediately to Police through the three-digit access number 311.