St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – July 2, 2026 – The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda has issued an urgent advisory to local residents, calling for heightened awareness and proactive security measures after a pair of recently reported theft incidents targeting personal valuables including jewellery and mobile phones.
The first incident under active investigation is a residential burglary that took place in the Green Bay neighborhood just before midnight on Monday, June 29. Preliminary law enforcement findings outline that three unidentified males forced entry into a home occupied by a single woman. Before making their escape from the property, the suspects stole a range of personal items: multiple pieces of gold jewellery, silver chains, a mobile phone, a handbag, and a full jewellery box holding additional valuables.
A second, separate theft is also being probed by police. In this case, a Samsung Galaxy A22 smartphone – valued at around 650 Eastern Caribbean dollars – was stolen between 4:30 p.m. and 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, while its owner was in the Joseph Lane area of the island.
In an official media release published through the force’s Office of Strategic Communications, police administration emphasized a key observation: criminal actors routinely target high-value, portable items that are left easily accessible or unattended in both private and public spaces. To help residents reduce their risk of falling victim to similar thefts, law enforcement has outlined a series of practical security steps for the public to adopt:
First, homeowners should confirm all entry points including doors and windows are securely locked, particularly after dark and when no one is home. Second, properties should be outfitted with sufficient exterior lighting, and where feasible, security camera systems or intrusion alarms should be installed to deter intruders and aid investigations if a crime does occur. Third, the public is advised to avoid openly wearing or displaying expensive jewellery in public settings unless absolutely necessary. Fourth, mobile phones and other small valuables should be kept secured at all times, and never left unsupervised in public places. Fifth, residents should remain alert to their surroundings in crowded or public areas, and contact police immediately to report any unfamiliar individuals or activity that seems suspicious. Finally, law enforcement recommends that all residents record serial numbers and document unique identifying marks for all high-value personal items, a step that greatly improves the chance of recovery if property is stolen.
Investigations into both the Green Bay burglary and the Joseph Lane smartphone theft remain ongoing. Police are asking any member of the public who may have information related to either incident – regardless of how small it may seem – to come forward to assist the investigation. Tips can be submitted directly to the Royal Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department at 462-3913 or 462-3914, dropped off at the closest local police station, or submitted anonymously through the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-TIPS (8477).