Police have arrested three Argentinians believed to be responsible for stealing millions of dollars in cash and gold from affluent neighbourhoods across the island.
Sources close to the probe tell Barbados TODAY that between late last year and yesterday, the trio hit houses from the South to the West Coast, including the Sandy Lane, St James community, Fort George and Regency Park, Christ Church, and at least one business.
They were caught in a police sting operation yesterday after investigators were tipped off that the men were attempting to break into a house in Fort George.
“They were caught in the act,” one source said.
“In addition to targeting the rich, they were also targeting business owners who make large sums of money daily, driving behind them [to their homes] when they leave work and then when they leave work they would break into
the houses.”
Investigations are still ongoing and no charges had been laid up to this evening.
This is the second case in the last five months of foreigners carrying out massive thefts in Barbados.
In October last year, two Bulgarians were arrested in what was the country’s largest case of automated teller machine (ATM) fraud.
The duo, who were reportedly part of an organized crime group that travelled to various countries across the globe committing ATM fraud, stole about $1/2 million from the accounts of customers at local banks.
Meantime, police are also investigating a separate massive theft.
Police public relations officer Inspector David Welch said today that two armed men, wearing masks, robbed a private residence in the Sandy Lane, St James community around 3 a.m.
Several pieces of high-end jewellery – including a Rolex watch – and a large sum of cash were stolen.
Welch did not provide details about the value of the stolen merchandise, but sources say it is substantial and could be near $1 million.
Members of the public with information about that heist are being asked to help police.
Welch has asked anyone with tips that could lead to the arrest of the culprits to call 430-7189 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477).
In a separate development, a man robbed the Tropicana Jewellery Store yesterday around 8:15 a.m. and escaped with several pieces of jewellery. He is still at large.
dawneparris@barbadostoday.bb