Andrew Surage is originally from St. Lucia

CBC NEWS - Toronto police have released new details about a suspect in the shooting death of a 47-year-old man.

Andrew Surage of Toronto, a father of five, was shot Oct. 5 outside an unlicensed after-hours club in the Weston Road and Rogers Road area.

Man shot dead during robbery in Toronto

Police say he was shot after he came to the aid of a friend who was being robbed.

Surage died of a gunshot wound to his chest.

Police describe the suspect as a non-white male with light skin between five feet, 10 inches and six feet tall, with a muscular build and black curly hair.

Police say surveillance video shows the suspect was in the company of three others.

“All three of these people are considered persons of interest,” said Det.-Sgt. Graham Gibson.

All four arrived at the scene in the same vehicle, he said Thursday. At least one of them had witnessed the robbery of Surage’s friend, Gibson added.

Surage came to Canada from St. Lucia many years ago. Police are appealing to witnesses and the persons of interest to come forward and assist in the investigation.

Joshua Flavius

Fourteen-year-old Corinth Secondary School student, Joshua Flavius, who went missing since Sunday, October 26 returned home this afternoon.

Joshua’s mother Marceline Leonce told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) this evening that she received a call from her eldest son that Joshua returned home.

However, it is still unclear as to what led him to stay away from home that long without attempting to contact his relatives.

Marceline had told SNO earlier today that she received a text message from her son’s phone saying, “Dont call the police I am safe where I am.”

She said she received the text message yesterday after sending one stating that she will put the matter in the police hands.

Leonce told SNO that she has been calling her missing son’s phone every day, but never got a response until she sent the last message.

Joshua, who resides in Corinth with a brother, went to spend the weekend at another brother’s house in Agard.
On Sunday, Joshua told his brother in Corinth that he had to go out with friends. He sought his permission, but his brother told him to call his mother instead.

He was granted permission and told to return home no later than 10:00.p.m.

Relatives told SNO that they were fearful that Joshua might be in bad company.

From left: Pierre and Pratt

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Jn Pierre has responded to concerns made by Margaret Pratt, whose husband Roger Pratt was robbed and murdered on their yacht in St. Lucia, in January.

Jn Pierre said St. Lucia is doing its best to bring some closure to the family.

“Many things we would like to happen quicker, but the fact is we are doing our best and the process is continuing,” the deputy prime minister told the media recently.

Asked if the new criminal judge that was promised will be confirmed anytime soon, Jn Pierre said it is a process and the government is still working on it.

“We have resource constraints. We are doing all we can do in the current fiscal environment,” he said.

A second criminal judge was promised at the beginning of this year.

Margaret had criticised the island’s justice system in a recent interview with the Telegraph newspaper in the United Kingdom. She is also demanding that the police speed up the investigation.

Pratt found her husband Roger, 62, a retired engineer, floating face-down in the sea after four men stormed their yacht and attacked the couple.

Four men – Richie Kern, Kervin Devaux, Fannis Joseph and Jeromine Jones - who were arrested for her husband’s murder appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort for the third time on Friday, April 11.

The last court appearance was aimed at determining whether there is sufficient evidence to commit them to trial. Nothing has been heard since.

Many persons have complained bitterly about the slow pace of justice on the island and are not confident in the courts. About 2,000 criminal cases and 12 trials are brought before the court, with one sitting criminal judge.

Hippolyte.

Effective today, October 30,2014 PC 311 Zachary Hippolyte assumed the role of Acting Press Officer of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

PRESS RELEASE - Fourteen- year-old, Joshua Flavius who was reported missing from his Grand Reviere, Gros Islet residence since Sunday, October 26, 2014 about 8:30p.m. has returned home unharmed.

The teenager was escorted to the Gros Islet Police Station by his guardian and older brother around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.

The form three student of the Corinth Secondary School told police, he had left home after a disagreement with his guardian, and had proceeded to stay with a friend.

A missing persons report was filed at the Gros-Islet Police on Thursday, October 30, 2014 indicating that Flavius was missing. The report was made by his brother, Duran Leonce.

PRESS RELEASE - The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force invites the general public to its third annual Police Train slated for Saturday, November 8, 2014.

The motorcade style Train leaves the Gros Islet Police Station at 6:00 a.m. and goes through the West Coast and around the island.

The Police Train forms part of Police Week of Activities for 2014. Police Week will be observed from November 23 – 30, 2014 under the theme “Empowering the Community through Police Partnership.”

During the Train, the Commissioner of Police and his lawmen will carry the “Police Torch” from one station to the other. This signifies loyalty, unity and strength amongst the officers. Also, each station will identify a community member, business, or organization to acknowledge for their support towards that station or present hampers to the less fortunate.

People who are interested in being part of the train can do so from the start or in their community.

Photo of hash or hashish – a marijuana product.

POLICE PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday, November 4, 2014, a female correctional officer who was coming on the morning shift was searched in keeping with standard operating procedures of the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF).

During the search conducted by the Special Operations Response Team, the individual was found to be carrying in her handbag, a quantity of substance suspected to be hash, concealed in what appeared to be a cake.

She was escorted into police custody and is expected to be charged at a later date. The correctional officer is said to be a resident of Vieux Fort, and has been employed with the BCF since 2007.

Officials have confirmed that she is the first female correctional officer ever arrested in connection with illegal substances.

Laforce

MONTREAL GAZETTE - Montreal police are seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect of a sexual assault on a minor.

Investigators say the suspect, Junior Laforce, is wanted in connection with a sexual assault that took place in 2011 and 2012 on someone who was 14 at the time.

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for the suspect, who may be living in Montreal or Toronto.

Laforce is 39, has dark skin, black hair and brown eyes and may have a moustache or beard.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect should call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 514-393-1133. The information will be treated anonymously and confidentially.

Tia Clement

THE ARGUS (UK) - A WOMAN has been sentenced to two years in prison after she tried to smuggle more than £50,000 worth of cocaine through Gatwick.

Tadia Clement, 23, was stopped by Border Force officers at Gatwick on 5 September after she arrived on a flight from St Lucia.

After searches, officers recovered 291g of cocaine from her person which had been concealed internally – forensic tests indicate the drugs had a street value of £52,000.

Clement, a St Lucian national, was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on 30 October after pleading guilty to the importation of a class A drug.

Following the arrest by Border Force the investigation and prosecution were carried out by the National Crime Agency’s Border Policing Command.

Carole Upshall, Border Force regional director, said: “This was an excellent seizure and I would like to pay tribute to the Border Force officers who play a crucial role in protecting the UK from illegal drugs every day.

“We work closely with law enforcement colleagues, including the NCA, to prevent drug trafficking and do all we can to put those responsible behind bars.”

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000.

Hannah Defoe, a talented dancer who studied at a performing arts college in Essex, was on a three-week trip to the Caribbean island to celebrate her 21st birthday when she was electrocuted after diving into her hotel’s swimming pool, according to reports.

(NORTH LONDON PRESS) - The aunt of Hannah Defoe had to be rushed to hospital after suffering a series of electric shocks when she leapt into a swimming pool in a bid to save her niece, an inquest heard yesterday.

Student Hannah Defoe, 20, of Winchmore Hill, died on the second day of a holiday to the paradise island of St Lucia after jumping into a hotel swimming pool that had a live electric current surging through it.

Giving evidence via a video link at West London Coroner’s Court in Bagleys Lane, Fulham, to the inquest in Vieux Fort, St Lucia, Hannah’s aunt, Janet Defoe, who had travelled to the island with her, told Magistrate Robert Innocent of her desperate bids to rescue her niece.

She told the inquest she had arrived on the island on July 24, the day before Hannah’s death, and was staying in Juliette’s Lodge Hotel, in Vieux Fort, in the South of the island with Hannah and her 17-year-old daughter.

Reading from the witness statement she had made in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy Ms Defoe said that when a family friend rushed to find her and told her that Hannah was in the swimming pool she ran outside.

“I ran to the pool and when I got there I saw Hannah’s body stretched out at the bottom of the pool. I jumped into the pool to rescue her.

As soon as I jumped in I felt a fuzzy feeling over my whole body,” she told Magistrate Innocent.

She explained that she was able to reach a hand out of the water and someone pulled her from the pool.

“I saw a metal pole on the floor. I took the pole and tried to move her. But when I put the pole inside the pool I got an electric shock.

When I put my hand into the water I also got a shock,” she added.

Continuing to read from her statement she said that she could not remember who had called the ambulance, but did remember she was transported to hospital alongside a man who had also tried to rescue her niece, but who had also been electrocuted in the attempt.

Hannah’s mother Hope Defoe gave evidence via videolink this afternoon.
Although she was not on the island at the time of her daughter’s death, the St Lucian inquest requested she read out the witness statement she had given when she arrived on the island in the days after her daughter’s death.

Overcome with emotion at the memory Mrs Defoe wept as she read from her statement.

“I identified the dead body of my daughter,” she said.

The inquest in St Lucia has been beset by delays since it was convened earlier this year.

However, Hope and Janet were the last witnesses to give evidence to the inquest and it is expected to conclude with the month.

Officials of the Customs, Drugs and Special Services Units conducted an operation this morning,‎ November 6, 2014 in the Dennery Valley, which resulted in 10 motorcycles being confiscated.

The motorcycles are suspected to be stolen or unregistered. During the operation one male was also arrested for the possession of an undisclosed amount of controlled drugs.

A police source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the individual is presently at the Richfond Police Station waiting to be charged‎.

Marine officials have been dispatched to Babonneau, to locate the body of a missing male who is suspected to have drowned.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the victim’s name is Eddy, who resides in Garrand, Babonneau. Reports are that Eddy fell into the sea and never resurfaced.

A top marine official had told SNO earlier that the report was made at about 3:55.p.m today that one male from Babonneau was swept away in the sea.

The official said that four other men were on the same boat on a sailing expedition, during the time of the incident.

However, the details are still sketchy at this time. Police officials were also been dispatched to the area. When SNO made contact with the police and marine at 6:20.p.m, both teams were still at the scene and no further information were provided.

We will provide you with more details, as soon more information becomes available.

PRESS RELEASE - The Police Welfare Association, in a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Legal Affairs and National Security dated September 16th, 2014, expressed concerns and recommendations as it relates to the promotions guidelines.

The Association expressed its desire to have dialogue on the issue, as it believes that the majority of its members are disadvantaged by the current guidelines.

To date, the Association is yet to receive a response.

Promotions to the ranks of Corporal to Inspector have been advertised, with the deadline for applications being Monday 10th, November, 2014.

The Association has re-written to the Minister reminding him of the issues while expressing the continued desire to dialogue. Also, the Association has requested that the Minister suspend the advertised promotions to facilitate discussions.

A response date of Tuesday, November 11, 2014 has been suggested to the Minister in response to the Association’s letter.

Police are investigating a wounding incident that occurred Friday night (Nov. 7) in Bexon.

Reports are that a male was chopped multiple times around 10 p.m. by another male.

He was taken to hospital in critical condition.

SNO will provide more information when it becomes available.

Victor Jn Phillip.

Almost one month after two bodies were discovered in the thick bushes along the Fond St. Jacque, Soufriere farmlands bearing gunshot wounds,  there are no new leads to these homicides.

Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that there have been no further reports on these cases nor has anyone been arrested.

The body of a 65-year-old farmer Victor Jn Phillip was discovered on the farm on Thursday, October 9, with a single gunshot wound to the head. His body was discovered at about 5:00.a.m that same day.

Jn Phillip had left the day before to tend to his farm, but never returned home. A search was conducted by police and residents, which led to the discovery of the man’s body.

On that same day, a second body was discovered by police in the farmlands. The body bore one gunshot wound to the abdomen. The body was later identified as Mc Donald St. Rose of Cantonment, Vieux Fort.

He was another farmer, who had left to attend to his farm in Saltibus, but never returned home. It is believed that the man was shot and left in the forest for close to three days.

Police Commissioner Vernon Francois had hinted that the homicides may be drug related, especially since the area is known to have had marijuana farms that were destroyed by police.

Members of the community have also suggested that the homicides were drug related. Relatives of both men said they were probably at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Police officials had initially arrested a few men for questioning, who were subsequently released.

Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information regarding these investigations should contact the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID) at 456 3770 or 456 3758.

PRESS RELEASE - The Major Crimes Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of 18-year-old Cornelius Edwin who is originally of Ciceron but resided at Marchand.

On Monday, November 3, 2014 about 2:00 a.m., Edwin was found unresponsive lying on a flight of stairs near the Mindoo Phillip Park, with an apparent injury to the head. He was transported to Victoria Hospital where he was admitted.

About 10:20 a.m., on Wednesday, November 5, 2014, Edwin succumbed to his injuries whilst admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of Victoria Hospital.

A post mortem examination was conducted on his body on Friday, November 7, 2014. The results indicate brain damage secondary to a gunshot wound to the head.

No one has been arrested in relation to this homicide. Anyone who has information that can assist the police with the investigation of this homicide, should contact the Major Crimes Unit at telephone number 456 3754 or the nearest police station.

PRESS RELEASE - Officers attached to the Major Crimes Unit of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of 25-year-old, Christopher Severin of Bruceville, Vieux Fort.

It is alleged that about 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014, officers attached to the Vieux Fort Police Station responded to a report of a suspected lunatic behaving aggressively at Bruceville.

On arrival, the officers observed Severin who was armed with a cutlass behaving in a disorderly manner. The officers made several attempts to disarm the individual but this proved futile.

He continued in his assault against the officers, who in turned fired a single gunshot in his direction, hitting him in the lower part of the body.

Christopher Severin was transported to the St. Jude’s Hospital where he was treated and admitted. About 11:20 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014, he succumbed to his injury whilst admitted at hospital.

The investigation into this fatal shooting continues.

Local hotelier Oliver Gobat. Photo credit: www.caribbean360.com.

PRESS RELEASE - On 25th April 2014, our beloved son and brother Ollie was brutally and tragically murdered. He was shot and his remains and his car set alight and dumped in a remote part of Cap Estate.

This was a shocking end to a life still so full of promise. Ollie was a decent, kind, honest and humorous person and this was not the end he deserved.

The tragedy of his murder has ruined the lives of Ollie’s family, his girlfriend and his many close friends both in St. Lucia and overseas. We are all still in deep mourning for a life so harshly and cruelly taken for no good reason.

Born in Vieux Fort, Ollie was also a very well liked and respected businessman who had encouraged huge investment into the island and facilitated the construction of at least 2 well known hotels which between have employed over 400 staff and which provided many construction jobs along the way.

In fact, the Gobat family have , since Theo Gobat’s arrival to the island in 1972 been responsible for the employment of over 2,000 St. Lucians.

He was also due to represent St. Lucia in the Commonwealth Games in July of this year. Something he was extremely proud of and had worked very hard towards.

It is hard to imagine the cruelty of those who perpetrated this senseless crime. But, sadly, such persons live among us. We ask you now to help us identify them and bring them to justice. For his family, for his friends and for our island which has, in recent years, seen too much violent crime.

The “Justice for Ollie” campaign, made up of his family, friends and local and international business communities  and fully endorsed by the Royal St. Lucia Police Force will therefore be making a statement and announcing a reward  at a special press conference on Nov. 19.

Bandits stole a silver Terios registration number PC7871 sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning in La Croix, Maingot.

The vehicle belongs to Pastor Richard Randolph. Randolph told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that he made the discovery at about 7:00.a.m this morning.

He said the vehicle was parked inside his yard, in an open garage.

“It is not really strange because I have known sometime they would find stolen vehicles about five minutes away from me,” he explained.

He believes that he might have been a target for the bandits and that they were paying attention to the use of the vehicle.

Randolph told SNO that he found it strange however that despite he had an alarm system his vehicle was stolen.

He said whenever the alarm system is activated; it would usually shut down the ignition system of the vehicle.

“So for them to be able to have bypassed that and everything is something strange,” he added.

He referred to the robbery as a high profile one, since the bandits were able to manipulate the security system on his car.

If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of the vehicle, they can make contact with the Marigot Police Station at 456-4895 or 285-2361.

Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary School

Officials at the Clendon Mason Memorial Secondary School in Dennery are investigating an alleged fight shortly after lunchtime between several students and a female teacher.

A well-placed source at the school told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that three male students from Form 5 were suspected of being involved in the fight with a teacher who teaches French, around 1 p.m.

It is alleged that the teacher received minor bruises during the attack. It is further alleged that an emergency meeting between teachers and the principal was being organised to address the issue.

The cause of the altercation is not yet clear.

When SNO contacted the school, an official said the incident is currently under investigation, but he declined to give any further information including his name.