Armed robbery leaves gas station attendant dead
Depending on how you classify two recent killings by policemen, the fatal shooting which occurred at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Cemetery Road at around ten-forty-five last night is either the thirty-first of thirty-third murder committed in 2003. But whatever the numbers, the incident is no less tragic. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Nineteen-year-old Robert Stephens Lino had only been working as a gas attendant for two months at the Texaco Gas Station when his life was tragically cut short during a hold-up and robbery at the establishment. Police believe this is the bicycle, the lone killer used to sneak up on Lino, who was having a conversation with a group of men including two co-workers and the station’s armed security guard, Jose Benitez. Police say although they have been interviewing some witnesses, there are conflicting reports about what actually transpired.
G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
“We know that he was pretty close to the victims when he robbed them, because he was able to rob them of some money. Then he apparently tried to ride off with the bicycle, and it seems that this is when the security guard fired the shot and then he turned around and returned shots. We’re not exactly clear as to how far away he was yet.”
Three of the assailants’ bullets caught Lino in his upper back, right side and right calf. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but we understand he died on the way. Meanwhile Benitez, who was shot in his hand, has since been treated and released from the K.H.M.H. When the police arrived at the crime scene they did recover the killer’s bicycle. The bike, which is suspected to be stolen property, had a bullet hole in the front tyre.
Jacqueline Woods
“It is not certain if the robbery and murder that took place here at Texaco gas station on Monday night will ever be solved. Today the police say they have become increasingly concerned about the lack of cooperation they have been getting from the general public. We do understand that one suspect who fits the description of the killer has been detained.”
However, the police have yet to hold an identification parade to see whether or not the person is indeed their suspect.
G. Michael Reid
“Apart from the fact that the robbers would be bold enough to approach an establishment that has an armed security guard…the security guard was within all rights to fire his weapon and try to retrieve what was taken and indeed try to apprehend the suspect. It’s unfortunate that it turns out that the suspect’s bullet was the one that found its mark.”
Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.
