Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter

After being the victim of a major robbery for the third time, returning resident and businessman Hugh Stewart says he has lost faith in Jamaica.

Stewart, who moved back to the island from the United States a few years ago, was robbed on Saturday of a container which stored goods amounting to $1.6 million (US$25,000). He is now in financial distress, and wonders why he came back in the first place.

"I have had enough! When I was in America my goods were out in the open where anybody could steal them and nothing went missing, and now when I have the items locked in a container, someone steals the entire thing," laments Stewart.

Police say sometime last week, a 40-foot evergreen (light green) coloured container (numbered EMCU9354804) was left at the Marliemount Square, St. Catherine, at his business place. About 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, the owner went to his store only to discover that the container had completely vanished.

The container, the contents of which included car tires, lawnmowers, bicycle parts and frames, and other personal belongings, could only have been removed with a trailer, police surmise.

IRONY

But being severely robbed is not a new experience for Stewart, as it was another massive robbery about eight years ago that propelled him to take his business overseas.

"About eight years ago, I had a store in Papine, and thieves came through the roof and cleaned me out of every single thing," said Stewart.

The family decided then to concentrate their business overseas, but their expressed love for the island led them to keep their house locally, in the hope of returning.

But their faith in their country was again crushed in 2004, when their home was broken into, and robbed of several costly items.

Although this latest robbery is nothing new to them, it may now be the proverbial 'straw that has broken the camel's back', as they have lost all hope of staying in the country.

"I don't think I will be staying in the country ... if we don't get these goods back, we will give up on Jamaica," he lamented.

"They (thieves) have ruined the lives of a family that worked hard and is trying to come back .... we are asking these persons to have some compassion and return our things," pleaded Stewart.

Police say they have several leads in the case, but the assistance of the public is needed.

"Police have strong leads and the matter is under investigation ... persons must have seen when the container was removed, and we are asking the public to assist us by contacting the Old Harbour police at 983-2255," said an investigating officer in the matter.