Robbers in the Corporate Area have seemingly found a new interest.

Several motorcyclists have been robbed of their bikes in recent weeks and the police are aware of at least three recent cases.

While some of the robberies were committed by persons in motor vehicles, others were carried out by men on motorcycles. THE STAR has learnt that in these cases, the modus operandi includes two men riding up beside the intended victim, brandishing a knife, gun or other threatening item and demanding the bike. One of the successful robber then escapes on the stolen motorcycle.

Deputy Superintendent McArthur Sutherland, head of crime for the St Andrew Central Division, told THE STAR that he was aware of one recent case. The incident, which occurred near Annette Crescent, Kingston 10, was carried out in the same manner. The victim in this case was also shot by the robbers.

A senior officer from the New Kingston Police Post, also told THE STAR that he had received at least two reports of similar incidents. One incident, which occurred three weeks ago, took place in the Knutsford Boulevard area in broad daylight. According to the officer, a messenger was delivering documents to an office when two men on a motorcycle stepped up to him, pushed him off his bike and rode away. The motorcycle was later recovered in the Grants Pen area.

One motorcyclist, who was recently robbed, shared his experience. "It was about 10 p.m., and I was picking up my girlfriend. I got a puncture along Molynes Road. I went to the Boulevard with my tyre soft, so I was riding slow." He said he noticed a car trailing him and when he stopped at the gas station, two men came up behind him. "Dem drape mi," he said, "an butt mi wid di gun and tek whe di key."

The men rode off with his motor cycle but later crashed along Waltham Park Road and the bike was recovered.

An officer from the St Andrew Central Division, said a possible explanation for the increase in these types of robberies is the fact that the robbers want the bikes for use in other crimes. He said the bikes are small and make escaping easier, especially on off roads and small alleys. He also recounted an incident on February 22 where a robbery and shooting was committed by men on a high powered bike.