***CRIME ALERT*** Cayman Un-Kind

UPDATE:  The RCIPS has made significant progress in their investigation of the incident:

Cayman Compass Article

Bare Foot Beach suspects nabbed

Four men have been arrested and are in police custody following a police operation early Friday in East End.

Officers targeted a number of homes in the East End area Friday, and as a result of the operation, three men were arrested in connection with the Bare Foot Beach robbery on 7 February.….

Thank you RCIPS and to the person or persons who helped them.  You have our utmost respect and gratitude.

CaymanKind Indeed!
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While I know the incidents and severity of criminal activity on Grand Cayman has been escalating at alarming levels, never did I think I would be impacted.  It would always be some other "foolish" tourist.  Well, now I am that foolish tourist.

During broad daylight, my wife and I were assaulted and robbed while enjoying a day of beach and snorkeling in one of our favorite spots on the island, Barefoot Beach. After another couple departed, we had the beach to ourselves.  Soon afterwards a group of three young men came down the path and walked towards us.  They spoke to us and we thought they were exchanging pleasantries.  We said hello and the next thing we knew the three of them surround us and one placed me in a headlock.  "This is a stick-up".  I'm thinking what the hell is going on here?  Then I see a pair of brass knuckles and another robber brandishes a mini-aluminium baseball bat.  "Give us your money!" Now it sinks in, "holy shit we are actually getting robbed!"

We ended up losing $20 and watching as they smashed the windshield on our rental car as they fled.  Turns out they broke into the car as well and stole my brand new underwater camera.



Needless to say I must warn any visitors about their safety at some of the off the beaten path spots described in this blog.  It will be a long time before we visit Barefoot Beach again.
A big thanks to:

• The staff of the Reef Resort who helped us contact the police and went far above and beyond in accommodating us, even though we were not staying there.  
• The RCIPS, who responded promptly and acted in a most professional manner.  I felt like we were in an episode of CSI with all the fingerprinting and DNA swabbing that was done.  
• Also thanks to Robert at Thrifty Rental cars for getting us a new car in no time from across the island.  

All the above were appalled and shocked that something like this could happen on the East End.  A sad sign of the times on Grand Cayman.

Be Safe.