ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Several residents in Portmore, St Catherine were unable to withdraw cash at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the municipality on Monday night.

The ATMs where funds were unavailable in Portmore included those owned by Sagicor Bank, Scotiabank, National Commercial Bank and Jamaica National.

Trips to no fewer than seven ATMs by a reporter provided a frustrating experience, one shared by several people, desperate for cash to conduct their business.

There were several long lines at ATMs all across the community.

“I can’t believe this. No money inna Portmore. This is the fifth machine I am going to and I need cash to send my child to school tomorrow,” one female complained.

Another man complained that he had visited seven machines operated by financial institutions, all without luck.

“This can’t real. What kinda slackness this? Mi know say a month end but this is foolishness, mi need fare to go work tomorrow,” another annoyed person said.

This state of affairs has become more commonplace in the wake of a spate of robberies across the island. In May, hundreds of bank account holders across Jamaica were left cashless after their attempts to withdraw funds from ATMs were unsuccessful.

READ: Customers frustrated as numerous ATMs out of service after latest Beryllium attack

This happened days after the attack on a Beryllium security team in Albion, St Thomas, which left one Beryllium security officer suffering from gunshot wounds.

READ: UPDATE: Beryllium security officer shot in St Thomas attack

The Albion attack marked the fourth major attack on Beryllium security officers making cash deliveries to ATMs.

The police say they have made several arrests of the perpetrators of the attacks, including an alleged mastermind.

READ: Suspected mastermind behind Beryllium attacks nabbed — police