Police confirmed Monday that they are questioning two more people in connection with Sunday’s daring attempted robbery at the Atlantis Resort.
Three people were initially apprehended then placed in custody in connection with the foiled heist, but Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson told The Journal that two more people – both employees of the mega resort – are also being questioned in connection with the incident.
National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage Monday applauded the efforts of Atlantis and law enforcement officers and said that Sunday’s incident should be seen as isolated.
He said that concerns about the incident’s impact on the tourism industry are premature.
“These are just really young men who use their intelligence to figure out how to beat the system instead of becoming a part of it,” he said.
“It’s our job as a country, as parents and as schools and churches to inculcate in them on the kind of values that will hopefully prevent this type of thing from happening. But obviously there will always be criminals amongst us and as long as there is lots of money around there will always be people who will try to get the easy way unfortunately.”
It was around noon Sunday that the three men – one of whom is a former Atlantis employee reportedly accessed the casino’s cashier cage in the basement of the Coral Towers through the ceiling of Murray’s Deli.
The men then sprayed a noxious substance believed to be tear gas or mace at several of the employees; Kerzner International officials confirmed that at least 16 of the hotel’s employees were treated for exposure and as a precautionary measure.
The hotel insisted that the incident happened in a non-guest area and they maintain that at no time were the safety and well being of the hotel’s guests in jeopardy.
Meantime, police said the suspects should face a magistrate sometime this week.