Mother & Daughter Nabbed as Police Foil Early-Morning Western Union Robbery in Hope Bay

Portland, Jamaica – Gunshots echoed through the quiet streets of Hope Bay early Monday morning (August 26) after armed men attempted to break into a Western Union outlet. But their big heist plans were cut short – thanks to quick action from an armed guard and the Portland police.

Reports are that around 2:30 a.m., several men, armed with crowbars, pried open the back door of the building. Their target? Cash. But inside, waiting, was a security officer who wasted no time in confronting them.

“He challenged the men and during an exchange of gunfire, one man was hit,” confirmed Superintendent Ainsley McCarthy, head of the Portland Police Division.

Police rushed to the scene and immediately locked down the area. A motor car, believed to be used by the robbers, was seized, and its driver taken into custody.

Follow-up operations throughout the day netted seven more suspects – among them, a mother and her daughter, who are said to be relatives of the man who was shot during the firefight. Officers also seized a 9mm pistol and several rounds of ammunition.

Superintendent McCarthy was clear: none of the suspects are locals. Their addresses span St Andrew, Kingston, and St Catherine.

“If your intentions are not good, do not come into the parish,” the Superintendent warned.

The injured suspect was rushed to Port Antonio Hospital, where he later died. Another man from the group also remains in hospital under tight police guard.

This is not the first time criminals have set their sights on the Hope Bay Western Union – the outlet has been a target in previous break-ins. But residents say this time, the police got it right.

The investigation is ongoing as police continue to track the movement of the criminal network behind the attempted robbery.