Police make quick breakthrough in Russell’s Cineplex robbery

Five Men have been charged in relation to the robbery of the Russell’s Cineplex, and the shooting death of Rodney Grant.{{more}}

SEARCHLIGHT understands that the men were apprehended shortly after the 10 p.m. robbery of the cinema, and shooting death of Grant, who was found lifeless just off the Stoney Ground bridge.

An individual, familiar with the incident, told Searchlight on Tuesday that three masked gunmen entered the cinema, where the movies “Man of Steel” and “The Fast and Furious 6” were being shown.

“They came in and roughed up the manager, a patron and a security guard,” the individual said. According to the source, the men made off with $3,000 cash, and tried to exit the cinema through one of the movie theatres where patrons were enjoying a movie, while using the manager as hostage.

When they were unable to make a getaway by that means, the source said the men ran back out through the entrance, and made their escape.

Moments later, residents of Stoney Ground heard what they believed to be gunshots, and upon investigation, discovered the body of Rodney Grant, a fisherman, lying in the road just off the Stoney Grounds bridge.

He had been shot in the head.

Speculations are that Grant was shot because he saw the faces of the bandits.

The source said that the men then ran through a short cut and fled the area in a vehicle parked next to a church.

The quick response of various departments of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force led to five men being cornered and apprehended in the vicinity of the gym in Mckies Hill.

The source also informed SEARCHLIGHT that when other individuals went to identify the bandits, two of the men were recognized as persons who had entered the cinema as patrons.

According to the source, plans are being made to beef up security at the cinema, with consideration being given to posting an armed guard on the premises.

The robbery at the cinema is the second at that venue in two years, and adds to the list of business places being targeted by bandits, the more recent ones being the New Haven Funeral Home in Rose Place, and Joyette’s Auto Body Shop in Murray’s Village.

Grant’s death was the 14th of the year.

Meanwhile, Symce Williams, 24 of Ottley Hall; Zemroy Guy, 27 of Edinboro; Chad Jacobs, 29; of Arnos Vale, Clemroy Pinder, 26 of Ottley Hall and Kamara George, 31 of Old Montrose were jointly charged and appeared before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young at the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown on Wednesday.

The five were charged with being armed with a gun and robbing Mohendus Martin of a black wallet containing EC$720, of his property and EC$2,239 — the property of Russell’s Cineplex; for assaulting Martin to wit beating him about his body with a gun, stamping and kicking and causing actual bodily harm; for causing the death of Rodney Grant; for having in their possession one .38 Smith and Wesson revolver without a license and for having in their possession six rounds of ammunititon without a license.

The men were remanded back into custody with the preliminary inquiry scheduled to begin November 25. (JJ, DD)