Gunman holds up teacher, speeds away with SUV
Published:Wednesday | October 20, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
The Ministry of Education has condemned the robbery, at gunpoint, of a teacher's vehicle at the Ensom City Primary School in St Catherine yesterday morning.
Manager of communication at the ministry, Colin Blair, told The Gleaner the act was a glaring disregard for law and order.
"We at the ministry condemn the act. We have also noted the rise in criminal acts against teachers.
"We cannot allow criminals to steal away the chance of our children's education, " Blair said.
Blair said the ministry would be reviewing security measures at the school.
About 7:10 a.m., while devotion was under way, the female teacher drove her Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV to her usual spot under a cypress tree.
"She was pounced on by a man who demanded her keys, and she complied," said Stanley Jones, principal of the school.
"She said the man told her if she screamed, she would be killed."
The criminal then sped away after his accomplice opened the gate.
Jones said the watchman at the school had ended his shift at 6 a.m.
The headmaster said the 34-year-old institution, which is located in the crime hotbed of Spanish Town, needed 24-hour security.
None of the more than 1,400 students enrolled at the school were aware of the robbery while it was under way.
"I am thankful the children were not aware, and that there was no physical injury or loss of life," Jones concluded.
The teacher in question was too shaken to speak with The Gleaner.
Meanwhile, the Spanish Town police have commenced an investigation into the matter.