As power went down due to the approach of Hurricane Frances, crime went up, leaving businesses in the capital to pay the price.
Not a hefty price but a price indeed.
Police reported a string of looting and break-ins during the period of Thursday to Saturday with some seven service stations around the island being hit.
Proprietors and employees returning to work after the all clear signal was given, were met in some instances with smashed glass, ransacked goods and damage to other property.
Vanika Cooper, Assistant Manager at Shell West Bay Street although she did not give an estimated amount of loss she told the Guardian on Monday that there was a sizeable amount of damage from looting.
“They kicked the door and broke locks to get in the back to the two store rooms; pry opened the cash registers and took the safe out of the wall,” she said.
She said four doors in total were damaged.
Cooper said she could not accurately state what items were looted due to the store being bare from shoppers scrambling to prepare for Frances.
A representative at Shell Baillou Hill Road and Robinson Roads said repairs were amounted to approximately $470.
“They entered the building from the southern side and broke in the glass to enter the building,” he said.
“The cost for replacement to the glass is $300,” he said.
The representative said looters took namely cigars, tire repair apparatus and some can air-fresheners.
The total amount of pilfered goods is approximately $170.
“This is regular to be expected during the hurricane season when you usually have these unscrupulous people but no money or valuable items were in the building,” he said.
Other stations also reported damage to doors and pilfered items, but chose to remain off the record.
Chief Superintendent Hulan Hanna, police public relations officer said it was unfortunate that some Bahamians chose to behave in a lawless manner but added, “Most Bahamians conducted themselves well.”
Mr. Hanna said individuals committing looting could face up to two years imprisonment if charged in a Magistrate Court.
He added however that the respective magistrate could refer the matter to the Supreme Court and if the individual is found guilty could face a more rigid penalty.
LaKeisha McSweeney, The Nassau Guardian
