And while police look for suspects in that armed robbery - officers had quite a time last night trying to track down a masked gunman who held up a Chinese grocery in the Belama area.
It happened right across the street from that closed Belama police substation which we told you about last week. Well, just as they had been doing recently, gunmen, capitalizing on that lack of a police presence, struck again. But while the robbery was one thing, police were quick to respond and that led to an armed exchange with the gunman which put the residential area on edge.
Monica Bodden has more.
Monica Bodden, Reporting
Dozens of armed police officers and BDF soldiers smothered the western perimeter of Belama phase one last night between 8:30 and 9:30.
Their presence seemed unusual in the residential area - but they were hunting and being hunted by an armed robber who held up 828 Super Center at 8:30pm.
Ben Zhu
"I just remember that a man just pull up by the cash register and ask my mom for money."
Monica Bodden
"When he pulled up with his gun, he demanded money from your mother. Right away did your mother give him the cash?"
Ben Zhu
"Yes, have to."
Monica Bodden
"You are not sure how much?"
Ben Zhu
"No."
Monica Bodden
"Was it a lone gunman?"
Ben Zhu
"Some people say that he came alone and some say that he brought friends, I don't know. He had a gun, who wants to fight him? Better for him to take the money and done."
Monica Bodden
"Shortly after police came?"
Ben Zhu
"Yea."
Monica Bodden
"At that time a chase ensued?"
Ben Zhu
"Yes ma'am."
When police responded they caught up with the robber who opened fire on the officers and then despite intensive search efforts managed to elude them and escaped across the river.
And while the swarming police activity should have provided residence some sense of relief - it did not- because gunshots were being fired in their neighborhood and the threat of more robberies remains live because this substation is still closed.
As noted in the story, the gunman eluded capture and is believed to have escaped across the river into the Lake Independence area.
According to a police press release, while renovations are being conducted at the Belama Police Station, there has been an increase in Police patrols in the Belama area.
