By Sharleene Lindsay

(St. Lucia News Online) — Police sources have confirmed that the suspect in the murder of 70-year-old restaurant owner Renato Venturi and the attempted murder of his wife is now behind bars.

The suspect, who is reportedly well-known to the victim, was arrested on Sunday, and charges are expected to be filed soon, sources said.

Police reports have indicated that Renato and his wife, Cheryl Venturi, 68, were attacked by a male assailant as the couple entered their home on Belma Lane, off Morne Road, Castries, on the night of Saturday, October 10, 2020.

Police said Renato was lashed in the back of the head and died at the scene while his wife was severely beaten, also sustaining head injuries. She was hospitalised in critical condition but has since been discharged from the hospital.

Renato was the owner of Renato’s Restaurant, which specialises in Italian cuisine. The business is located in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet.

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(St. Lucia News Online) — More than 20 bars in Castries were temporarily shut down by the police on Monday evening for breaching the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Restriction of Access to Area Order, which makes it illegal for persons to assemble and consume alcohol at bars, according to media reports.

Police said the action was not a result of a curfew violation. The curfew starts at 9 p.m. but carried out its inspections around the city from 7 p.m., reports have indicated.

Bar owners are being further warned to adhere to the laws or face criminal charges, according to reports.

St. Lucia has to date recorded two COVID-19 deaths and 148 cases of which about 100 are active. Some 15 persons have recovered, according to the Ministry of Health.

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(St. Lucia News Online) — Police have formally charged a 60-year-old suspect in the murder of restaurant owner Renato Venturi, 70, and the attempted murder of his wife, 68-year-old Cheryl Venturi, according to law enforcement sources.

Gerald Primus Paul, also known as “Kayet”, a resident of Tet Chimen, Millet was arrested on Sunday, November 8, 2020, sources said. He was later slapped with the charges in relation to the crime.

Police reports have indicated that Renato and his wife were attacked by a male assailant as the couple entered their home on Belma Lane, off Morne Road, Castries on the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2020.

Police said Renato was lashed in the back of the head and died at the scene while his wife was severely beaten, also sustaining head injuries. She was hospitalised in critical condition but has since been discharged from the hospital.

Renato was the owner of Renato’s Restaurant, which specialises in Italian cuisine. The business is located in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet.

Paul was reportedly well-known to the victims.

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By Sharleene Lindsay

(St. Lucia News Online) — A Jamaican murder suspect is still at large, exactly one month after he escaped from the jail cell of the Babonneau Police Station.

Orville Pernelle, 27, who resided in St. Lucia at Ravine Macock, Monchy, Gros Islet, escaped from jail on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Reports have indicated that Pernelle used a tool to cut the bars of the jail and make his escape. He was reportedly sharing a cell with at least three other detainees who apparently did not take the opportunity to escape.

It was also reported that several police officers were at the station at the time when the Jamaican escaped. The officers were not harmed because, according to reports, they did not realise the detainee escaped until sometime between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.

A senior police officer was tasked to investigate the matter and given a deadline of two weeks to come up with answers. However, one month later, there has been no update from the police regarding those answers. And checks with law enforcement officials by our newsroom on Wednesday, November 11 revealed that Pernelle is still at large.

Pernelle was charged on Thursday, November 8, 2020, for causing the death of 28-year-old Cleus Alfred (photos below) of Ravine Macock, Monchy who was found in a pool of blood with gunshot wounds in Trouya, Gros Islet on August 25, 2020.

Following a bail hearing on Friday, November 9, the Jamaican was remanded in custody until November 11, 2020.

Police officials said Pernelle is a dangerous individual. They have advised members of the public not to confront the Jamaican but contact the police — and they can do so anonymously.

Below is a Jamaican news report on the incident:

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(St. Lucia News Online) — In a press release on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force disclosed that it has solved four homicides.

This news comes several days after a police official told reporters that, to date, law enforcement has solved about 50 percent of the homicides for 2020.

According to police, 42 homicides have been recorded so far this year.

Below is the police press release about the four recently solved homicides.

Gerald Primus Paul, a sixty-year-old resident of Tet Chimen, Millet has been charged in connection with the murder of Renato Venturi. Gerald Primus Paul alias “Kayet”, was charged on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, for causing the death of Venturi, and was also charged for the attempted murder of a female, during the same incident. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Morne Fortune, Castries. Paul is remanded in custody, pending further case management.

Rayan Gregg, a Jamaican national, was formally arrested and charged on November 10, 2020, for causing the death of Cleus Alfred on August 25, 2020, at Trouya, Gros Islet. Gregg, is remanded in custody.

Ashton Palton aka Bobby of Augier was formally arrested and charged on October 30, 2020, for causing the death of Vigjah Roberts of Augier, on the 25th of October 2020, at Augier, Vieux Fort. Palton- is remanded in custody.

Bobby Joseph of Resinard, Babonneau was formally charged on November 3, 2020 for causing the death of Meshack Dyson Emilien of Boguis (who was found in Garrand on September 19, 2020, after having been reported as missing by family). The defendant is currently remanded in custody.

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By RSLPF

(PRESS RELEASE) — On Monday, November 9, 2020, over twenty (20) establishments within the city were closed by officers attached to the Special Patrol Group of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

Several visits were made by officers in an attempt to have patrons and owners adhere to the established COVID-19 protocols. Warnings were issued in the first instance, however, officers observed that shortly after they vacated the premises, patrons would return, socializing and consuming alcohol on the premises.

According to the COVID-19 (Prevention and Control Restriction of Access to Area) Order, the consumption of intoxicating liquor loitering, assembling or socializing at such establishments is prohibited. After warnings were issued, and compliance was not observed, officers commenced the closure of all establishments found in breach of the law.

No one has been arrested thus far, however, continued non-adherence may result in arrests being effected. The above-mentioned action was following a two-week-long drive (including the distribution of masks) to encourage observance of the protocols, particularly, within the city of Castries.

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force wishes to continue to urge all members of the public to adhere to the protocols, as we continue the fight against COVID-19.

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By Sharleene Lindsay

(St. Lucia News Online) — Another Jamaican has been charged in connection with the homicide of Cleus Alfred, police disclosed on Wednesday.

According to a press release, Rayan Gregg was formally arrested and charged on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 for causing the death of Alfred on August 25, 2020, at Trouya, Gros Islet.

Gregg is remanded in custody, the release said.

Alfred was found in a pool of blood on the Trouya road with gunshot wounds.

Initially, another Jamaican national, 27-year-old Orville Pernelle, who resided in St. Lucia at Ravine Macock, Monchy, Gros Islet, was charged in connection with Alfred’s death. However, Pernelle escaped from the Babonneau Police Station jail on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Reports have indicated that Pernelle used a tool to cut the bars of the jail and make his escape. He was reportedly sharing a cell with at least three other detainees who apparently did not take the opportunity to escape.

Pernelle, whom police consider dangerous, is still at large.

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(St. Lucia News Online) — Travis Chicot has announced that he will not seek re-election in the Police Welfare Association (PWA) of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.

Chicot was elected president on February 27, 2017.

The cop disclosed Wednesday on Facebook that he’s closing “this old chapter”.

“Opening a new is always a feeling of gratitude,” Chicot wrote.

He thanked everyone who has supported him and encouraged support for whoever takes the helm of the PWA.

Chicot also thanked “those who undermined the work of the PWA”.

“We love you even more,” he added.

Here is his full statement: “Closing this old chapter-opening a new is always a feeling of gratitude. Today I declared that I will not be seeking any forms of reelection in the RSLPF PWA. I thank the many St. Lucians who showed me love and accepted me in their home. I thank my loving family for the support. This calls for us to continue uniting and support whoever takes the helm of the PWA. With love, I step out gracefully. Thanks to all the police officers who supported and showed love, those who undermined the work of the PWA we love you even more. God bless the PWA and the RSLPF.”

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By Merrick Andrews

(St. Lucia News Online) – St. Lucia police are investigating one of the country’s latest homicides, the brutual murder of one of the island’s top sportsmen.

The body of Melvin “Flyin” Charles was found on Saturday, reportedly naked and with stab wounds, St. Lucian Sports Journalist Terry Finisterre revealed on Twitter.

Finisterre said Charles was a resident of Barnard Hill, Castries and a bus driver by profession.

The prominent sports journalist also revealed that Charles was one of St. Lucia’s most successful high school basketball coaches.

He guided St. Mary’s College to multiple titles, Finisterre further revealed via his Twitter page.

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