One of three thieves who on Monday tried to rob the KFC restaurant on Red Hills Road in St Andrew was shot dead by security guards who recovered an illegal firearm after the incident.

According to Acting Deputy Police Superintendent Altermoth 'Parra' Campbell of the Constant Spring Police Station, the incident occurred about 11:00 pm as employees prepared to close the restaurant for the night.

Campbell said the robbers, who pretended to be regular customers, held up a security guard and disarmed him before demanding money from two customers and the restaurant's cashier.

However, the robbers, Campbell said, were surprised by guards from a security company who engaged the gunmen in a shoot-out.

When the firefight ended, one of the robbers, who was still unidentified up to last night, was found dead. His cronies escaped.

Police said that they recovered most of the $290,000 which was reportedly stolen at the scene and that two vehicles were damaged during the incident.

A 9mm pistol and a stick of dynamite were taken from the dead man, Campbell said.

"We believe that the gun that was seized in the incident is the same gun that was stolen from a security guard in Ewarton earlier this year," said Campbell.

On Tuesday, Restaurants of Jamaica, holders of the KFC franchise, said that the company was grateful that no staff member nor customer was injured during the robbery and apologised for the trauma that they might have experienced.

"Restaurants of Jamaica wishes to reiterate that we have a comprehensive security system in place at all of our restaurants to protect customers and team members alike," said the firm. "Part of that security involves ensuring that only limited cash is kept in each restaurant, with cash being cleared regularly and deposited into a drop safe. It is important to note that once the cash has been deposited into the safe by restaurant personnel, there is no way for them to retrieve the money."

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!