WESTERN BUREAU — Burglars have hit Copie Bartlett’s hardware store several times over the last five months, so on Saturday night the Westmoreland man hired a security guard.

Less than six hours later, the guard shot and killed Robert Reid, 40, after he was allegedly caught stealing pipes from Bartlett’s Best Price Hardware store on Nompriel Road.

The police reported that at about 12:30 am, a security guard employed to Naval Security Company was on duty at the hardware store when he observed an unusual signal on the electronic monitor.

The security guard, the police said, reportedly saw Reid removing PVC pipes from a section of the premises.

Reid was challenged by the security guard and he allegedly pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed at the guard. The police said the guard pulled his service Taurus revolver and fired three shots in the direction of his attacker.

Reid was reported hit in the chest by one of the bullets and was taken to the Savanna-la-Mar hospital where he was pronounced dead.

His body was later removed to the funeral parlour for post-mortem examination.

The Negril police later seized the guard’s firearm for ballistic testing.

Bartlett, in the meanwhile, has commended the security guard for doing what he said was a “commendable job”, adding that he was hopeful that Reid’s death would send a message to the scores of persons who have burglarised his store over the past five months.

The storeowner said that since he opened his business last November, thieves have stolen more than $200,000 worth of his goods.

“Dem thief everything, from pipes, to lumber, zinc and even board,” he told the Observer.

He added that last Friday, thieves were seen removing sheets of zinc and board from his premises but they managed to escape on the arrival of the police.

The following day, Bartlett said, he decided to employ the services of the security company to protect his property in an effort to minimise his losses.