High-Level Probe Into Sophisticated Portmore ABM Robbery

Police are probing a sophisticated multimillion-dollar robbery at Scotiabank's Portmore branch in St Catherine after thieves allegedly used security access codes to enter the bank's automated banking machine (ABM) servicing room and steal an undetermined sum of cash.

The break-in was discovered on Sunday morning when a security guard conducting routine patrols found the door to the ABM servicing room open and alerted bank officials.

Investigators believe the thieves entered the bank compound sometime between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows several men dressed in black clothing and wearing gloves arriving in a grey Nissan Latio with its licence plate obscured before entering the restricted servicing area.

Police say there were no signs of forced entry. The break-in was reportedly uncovered after the security guard found the servicing room door slightly open, propped ajar with a small stone.

The suspects allegedly used security access codes to open four ABM safes before making off with cash.

The exact amount stolen has not yet been determined.

Investigators believe the thieves deliberately targeted the machines containing the largest sums of money. Preliminary information suggests that only the cash cassettes holding higher Jamaican dollar denominations and US currency were emptied, indicating the perpetrators knew exactly which compartments to access.

Sources familiar with the bank's operations said each of the four safes involved is capable of holding more than $20 million.

The servicing room is reportedly not accessible to bank employees and is used by Beryllium Limited, the company responsible for servicing the bank's automated banking machines.

Meanwhile, several customers have reported difficulty accessing cash from ABMs in the Portmore area following the robbery, although Scotiabank has not indicated when normal service will resume.

Crime scene investigators processed the location on Sunday as detectives continued their probe into how the suspects gained access to the highly secured area.

Investigations are ongoing.

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