Mason River District, Clarendon – Up to late yesterday evening, residents of Mason River District and police officers from the parish’s Crafts Hill police station were still searching for three of four gunmen who had earlier shot and injured three security guards during a robbery.

One man who is suspected of being involved in the robbery was held by the police in the afternoon.

According to a police source from the area, shortly after 11:00 am the guards – who are employees of Atlas Security Company in Kingston – where travelling in a marked vehicle. They were on their way to pick up cash as part of their security services for clients who want protection when moving large sums of money.

Upon reaching the Mason River section of the parish, a white motor car with the men aboard drove up beside the guards and blocked their pathway, a source said.

The armed men got out of their vehicle and opened fire on the security guards, injuring them. The gunmen stole two of the guards’ service firearms and revolver, along with an undetermined sum of money.

When contacted yesterday, Atlas officials were still locked in a meeting and could not say how much money had been stolen or supply details on the condition of their injured employees.

One of the robbers was also shot and injured during the gun battle, however he later escaped in nearby bushes. After news broke of the incident in the area, residents and police joined forces to find the culprits.