The Portland police are now searching for three suspects, who robbed a mini supermarket of a variety of goods, but later crashed in a ravine at Ross Craig in East Portland, yesterday. Documents indicating that the blue Noah mini-bus was licensed and registered in St Thomas were recovered from the wreckage by the police.

According to the Port Antonio police, the owner of the mini-bus was contacted, and their counterparts in St Thomas also assisted in the search for the three men and the possible mastermind behind the robbery. It was an elderly resident who alerted the police about the robbery shortly after 4 a.m on Monday, after witnessing three suspicious males removing goods from the establishment in Zion Hill, some 10 miles away from where the vehicle eventually crashed.

The police have theorised that the men were speeding at the time of the accident, and that their troubles were further compounded by a front tyre blowing out as they attempted to negotiate a corner.

The lawmen also claim that the vehicle flipped over several times on its way to the bottom of the ravine approximately 150 feet down, before landing on its top in a river.

Owner of the supermarket, Novelette Tummings, bemoaned her losses and said it could not have come at a worst time. She said her place was ransacked by the thieves, who stole a variety of items.

"I have lost close to $350,000 worth of goods,"she said.

"They also stole my cash register, and there are signs that they not only fed themselves before making their escape, but they also consumed a portion of alcoholic beverages."

The police also added that the thieves, who may have been injured, made their way through the gully area, which is covered by trees, shrubs, and a dense vegetation, to safety.

The stolen items at the scene included corn beef, sausages, sardines, mackerel, syrup, cooking oil, sodas and alcoholic beverages.

Police sources said that a series of similar robberies have taken place at other establishments at Long Bay, Boston, Manchioneal, and Fairy Hill, in the parish in the last two weeks.