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Jeffers to Robbery Victims: Hand Over the Cash—Stay Alive

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Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers is urging business owners not to risk their lives if confronted by armed robbers, insisting that no amount of money is worth dying for.

Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers is urging business owners not to risk their lives if confronted by armed robbers, insisting that no amount of money is worth dying for.

He was speaking on the heels of Thursday morning’s fatal shooting of Freeman’s Village businessman Elizabeth Francis.

Francis, the proprietor of a supermarket in Freeman’s Village, was fatally shot shortly after 8:30 a.m. after two men exited a silver vehicle and entered his business, where a confrontation reportedly occurred.

Responding to questions from journalists Thursday, Jeffers advised business operators to comply with armed criminals if there is no immediate police presence.

“No amount of money costs your life. If you find yourself in a situation like this and there’s no police around, just turn over the money. Your life is more valuable,” he said.

The Commissioner added that police would rather investigate robberies than murders.

“We would prefer to investigate a robbery than to investigate a murder.”

He also encouraged businesses to reduce the amount of cash kept on hand during the day.

Jeffers recommended that merchants regularly empty their cash pans so criminals have less to steal if a robbery occurs.

Police say enhanced operational plans for Carnival will include increased patrols and additional law enforcement resources to improve security across the island.

Cory Wayland

About the author

Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.

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Comments (9)

  • The silent one July 24, 2026, 1:34 PM

    They will rob you take all your money and still kill you

  • The silent one July 24, 2026, 1:31 PM

    But some of them so heartless they will get the money and still kill you

  • Glen July 24, 2026, 11:08 AM

    They can take everything they wnat but dont kill me. I endorse this message

  • Orie July 24, 2026, 9:09 AM

    Survival instinct of a fart, whether i own the shop or not, why on earth would i ever risk my life fighting a robber over a few hundred in the register? mussa maddd if i need a few hundreds, God’ll provide they can have the entire shop if they want too But the police needa react faster to things sometimes, crime rate gettin wayy too high n frequent this year, n the year just about half-way

  • Tough life July 24, 2026, 8:58 AM

    But sometimes you give them all you have money, jewelry and they still kill you

  • Anonymous July 24, 2026, 8:40 AM

    ” He also encouraged businesses to reduce the amount of cash kept on hand during the day”. If this is’nt an admission of defeat to the criminals, I dont know what is!!

  • Walter July 24, 2026, 8:27 AM

    Nothing is worth losing your life over. Stay safe and protect yourself first.

  • A worried citizen July 24, 2026, 7:53 AM

    So robbers can get away with breaking into properties and just surrender? No sense of safety for business owners? With a possibility of not getting caught just to do it again? This sounds like robbery will increase and people don’t want no work to do.

  • Juju Bee July 24, 2026, 7:41 AM

    It should be er have to come to that but save your life

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