Two men were arrested and charged yesterday by the City Centre police for allegedly attempting to rob a store in separate incidents in downtown Kingston.

Michael Lawrence, 27, of a White Hall Avenue, Kingston 8 and Michael Evans, from Kingston 13, are charged with simple larceny and will appear in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court next Wednesday.

Police said about 12:30 p.m., Lawrence entered the store and enquired where he could find the baby oil. Closely being observed by the security on duty, it is alleged that the man slipped a bottle of baby shampoo into his top left pocket.

He was accosted and held by the security guard shortly after he exited the store with the item.

An hour later Evans went to the cosmetic aisle where he is accused of picking up two deodorants, placing them into his back pockets.

After carefully tucking away the two items, it is alleged that the man went to the stationery section of the store and took up two postcards. It is alleged that the man went to the cashier and left the postcards at her counter then attempted to exit the building when he was approached by the security guard on duty.

The police were called and he was arrested and charged. Both men should appear in court on May 20.