The United States Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas sent a strong message to the government of The Bahamas after one of its diplomats was assaulted and robbed on the way to church on Sunday morning.

The embassy said, “On the way to worship services in downtown Nassau this morning (Sunday), a diplomat assigned to the United States Embassy was accosted, robbed, and injured.”

According to Superintendent Paul Rolle, who heads the Central Detective Unit, around 11 am, a 74-year-old American woman was robbed by a man as she walked to worship at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on West Hill Street. He said a man approached her, threw her to the ground and stole her purse, cash and jewellery.

“The embassy urges the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to redouble its efforts to address matters of public safety and stands ready to assist in these efforts.”

Rolle said that around 7 pm on Sunday, officers from the Central Police Station took a 27-year-old man into custody. He was “assisting with the investigation”.

In a statement issued Sunday night, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell condemned the incident.

“The ministry of foreign affairs has expressed its regret and concern to the United States Embassy over the reported assault and robbery of a United States Embassy staff member here in Nassau which is alleged to have taken place [yesterday] while she was on her way to church,”

Mitchell said.

“The government of The Bahamas deplores this and all acts of criminality in the strongest terms and the matter has been communicated to the ministry of national security for an immediate and full investigation.

Reports of Americans being targeted by robbers have been surfacing in the headlines more frequently.

Last Sunday, two American visitors were robbed at gunpoint outside the Royal Towers, Atlantis Resort and Casino, though no one was said to be harmed in that incident.