Photo of suspected thief after he was beaten by angry mob in La Clery.

Police are investigating the beating of a man, who is accused of snatching a bag from a Caucasian woman in La Clery, Castries this evening.

Police sources told St.  Lucia News Online (SNO) that the man was taken to hospital for treatment after he was beaten by an “angry mob” from La Clery.

The man allegedly stole the woman’s bag near Super J in La Clery and was chased by the group of males into Wintrades Supermarket where he was severely beaten.

An eyewitness told SNO that she was visiting in the area when the incident occurred around 7 p.m. She said the young men used bottles and a “machine” from the shop to beat the alleged thief all over his body. The eyewitness said the man was then tied up until the police arrived.

“The man got a sound beating. They almost killed him,” she told SNO.

Another eyewitness told SNO that the young men from La Clery have been blamed wrongfully for robberies committed by outsiders in the area and “took it out on the man”.

Vernon Francois.

Police Commissioner Vernon Francois has warned citizens against vigilante justice, following the severe beating of a suspected bandit, on Wednesday evening in La Clery.

Commenting on the issue, the top cop said that he would like to discourage such behavior, as people will be held responsible for taking matters in their own hands.

He said there is a due process in every matter and that must be followed regardless of the circumstances. Francois reiterated that persons should not engage in any such behavior.

Francois explained that the police should be the first to intervene in any matter and then it should be placed before the courts, where the person accused of the wrongdoing will face strict penalties.

The police commissioner said while they have had a few similar cases of vigilante justice or beatings in the past, it is not something that happens regularly. Therefore, he said the police wants to see an end to this behaviour.

A man who is accused of snatching a bag from a Caucasian woman in La Clery, Castries on Wednesday evening was severely beaten by an alleged angry mob.

The man allegedly stole the woman’s bag near Super J in La Clery and was chased by the group of males into Wintrades Supermarket where he was severely beaten.

An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online that the young men used bottles and a “machine” from the shop to beat the alleged thief all over his body.

The eyewitness said the man was then tied up until the police arrived. Another eyewitness told SNO that the young men from La Clery have been blamed wrongfully for robberies committed by outsiders in the area and “took it out on the man”.

This issue has since attracted the attention of many Saint Lucians. While some persons believe that the man deserved to be beaten, others claim that it should have been handled differently.

Tia Clement

British Police have been looking for the dealer who gave the young St Lucian woman drugs to carry into the UK. It is believed that Tadia Clement, 23, may have been given the cocaine to carry from Martinique into St Lucia, by a St Lucian living in the French Department.

The Drugs were then brought to Britain where a courier was waiting to pick up.

A police source in the UK revealed that a man from Britain of St Lucian origins traveled to the island to set up the operation. Scotland Yard have been trying to locate this Mr. Big from the UK but so far have been unable to do so. He is British.

“Police have been trying to track down a man who gave his name as Poll Francis and lives in London. Police went to the address this individual gave but could not find him nor the address. No such name or address existed. This was well arranged to throw the police off and to mislead them.” said the police source. “He knew exactly what he was doing.”

Rumours have been circulating about the Mr. Big the police are looking for. According to another source he could be working as a postman or somewhere within the British civil service and lives in the West London area. A man fitting his description has been frequently the island. He has family in the western part of St Lucia, where he visits often.

“People must know who this man is but they are not willing to speak for fear of speaking out and getting themselves in trouble with the drug lords out there.” said another source close to the investigation. “Some people will go to great lengths to protect people like this. People are afraid to come out and say who the responsible parties are.”

Tadia was sentenced to 1 year imprisonment and was fined £150. She will serve 10 months and could be released as early as March 2015.

The car in its original state.

A silver Terios which was stolen sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning in La Croix, Maingot has been recovered.

The owner, Pastor Richard Randolph, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the vehicle was recovered sometime around 2:00.p.m yesterday in Chopin, Barre Denis.

The car which bears registration number PC7871 was found with its gear box, door panels and headlights missing and the engine stripped.

Randolph said that the vehicle was found in a deplorable state.

The owner said he is unable to put a price to the missing parts, which he must now replace, in order to use his vehicle.

Randolph had told SNO that his vehicle was parked inside his yard, in an open garage, when bandits stole it.

The spiritual leader said it is not uncommon to recover stolen vehicles, minutes away from his home.

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 said 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.

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

An unidentified body was discovered at about 1:45.p.m today at Fond D’or, Dennery. It was found headless.

The decomposed body was found in a secluded area. Police had to gain access by using a fishing boat.

Police sources told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that based on the decomposition of the body, they are unable to identify whether it is a male or female.

The Public Relations Department of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) in a press statement said officers attached to the Richfond Police Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a decomposed body.

The statement said the corpse was transported to the morgue at Victoria Hospital.

The RSLPF is appealing to anyone who has information that can lead to the identity of this individual to contact the Richfond Police Station at telephone number 456 3690 or the nearest police station.

Also, if anyone has noticed that a family member or friend is missing, they are asked to contact the nearest police station.

Sylvana Augustin, 18, has been hospitalised with a gunshot wound to the left leg.

A teenage girl who was shot in Balata early this morning was reportedly involved in an argument with a man known to the family, prior to the shooting, according to a relative whose name is being withheld for security reasons.

Sylvana Augustin, 18, was attending a solo event in Balata with relatives and friends when she sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg, sometime after midnight.

The relative told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Sylvana, who started working with a telecommunications company yesterday, went to the event with her grandfather, uncle, aunt and some friends.

While there, she allegedly got involved in an argument with the ex-boyfriend of one of her relatives. It is alleged that the man threatened her and blamed her for causing his relationship break-up and further separation from his ex.

It is further alleged that the man left the area and returned on two occasions.

The relative said Sylvana was sitting on the bridge’s railing with other persons and was using her phone when an explosion was heard.

Sylvana tried to run but realised she was shot in the leg.

Her mother, Shana Augustin, told SNO that the bullet, which is still in her daughter’s leg, fractured a bone and damaged nerves. She is scheduled to undergo surgery.

Shana said she has not spoken to all the persons who were with her daughter at the event, but so far no one has reported seeing who the shooter was.

“She (Sylvana) saw when the person ran but didn’t make out the person,” Shana said.

The mother said her daughter is originally from Bagatelle but moved to Balata.

Police are investigating.

The Major Crimes Unit of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force is investigating a police shooting that occurred in Grand Ravine, Dennery on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Reports are that Nelson Ollice, 46, also known as Brian, was shot by an off-duty police officer near a funeral reception after he allegedly drew a cutlass at the lawman.

The victim is alleged to have been intoxicated.

“The man was getting on with the family in mourning for rum. The officer was a guest at the funeral. He tried calming the man down. The man walked away. Minutes later he came back and draw a cutlass at the officer. In retaliation the officer shot him in the leg,” a source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

The officer is reported to be a member of the Special Services Unit.

SNO will provide more information when it becomes available.

Kingston Wharves in Jamaica.

Jamaican narcotics police announced yesterday, Sunday, Nov. 16 that marijuana destined for St. Lucia was seized at the Kingston Wharves.

The seizure was made on Friday, November 14 by members of the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division (TCND).

The Associated Press (AP) reported that 41 packages containing marijuana was hidden in a shipment of chairs destined for St. Lucia.

However, another news source – On the Ground News Report – stated that 33 packages, weighing about 70 pounds, and stashed among chairs were seized.

No one was arrested in connection with the seizure.

This is not the first time marijuana destined for St. Lucia was seized in Jamaica.

In late 2012, TCND and other Jamaica law enforcement officials, seized a 20-feet container that arrived on board a vessel from Korea. The container was searched and found to contain parcels of compressed ganja weighing about 3,153 pounds. The container was destined for St. Lucia.

In late 2007, the Jamaican police seized 119 packets, weighing 400 pounds, of compressed marijuana, which was attached to the base of five Jacuzzis destined for St. Lucia. The seizure was made at the Port of Kingston during a routine check.

Jamaica is thought to be the Caribbean’s largest producer and exporter of marijuana, AP reported.

Bordelais Correctional Facility.

PRESS RELEASE - Three Correctional Officers from the Bordelais Correctional Facility have benefited from training opportunities in the United States of America this month.

The three training recipients are Intelligence Officer Nigel Monrose and Correctional Officer 3 Sanjay Paul who earlier this month pursued training in Correctional Management and Leadership from November 03 – 14, 2014.

Correctional Officer Lee Willie accompanied by Nigel Monrose will participate in training in the area of Prison Gang Intelligence from November 17 – 21, 2014.

The Courses will be conducted at the International Corrections Management Training Center (ICMTC) in Colorado Springs, CO (USA). The courses are sponsored and fully funded by the United States Government under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

The body of a man was discovered in Morne Du Don, Castries after midnight this morning, well-placed sources have told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

The body was discovered in the middle of the road and transported to Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police sources say the death does not appear suspicious, but a post mortem examination will give a final determination.

SNO will provide more information when it becomes available.

Florent

Three armed bandits robbed a mini-bus driver of an undisclosed sum of cash on Thursday, November 13 in La Pansee, Castries.

Barthelmy Florent, 53, who operates a mini-bus in Morne Du Don, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that the robbery occurred at about 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Florent said he had just parked the mini-bus when the three masked men approached him and demanded that he hand over all his cash. The mini-bus driver told SNO that one of the bandits pointed a gun to his face and as a result, he took the bag of money he had in his possession and handed it over to them.

Florent said he is not sure how much cash they were able to get, because it was some of the money he made for the day that weren’t counted. He told SNO that the bandits are probably between 18-20 years old. The driver and the men had a scuffle and the bandits later escape.

Florent said he has been a taxi driver for a number of years and only started driving a mini-bus about a month ago.

The Morne Du Don resident said he finds it unsafe to operate a mini-bus, especially after 5 p.m. He logged a report with the police.

Gobat’s ashes being sprinkled into the sea off Smuggler’s Cove Beach on Monday, Nov. 17, his birthday. * Photo credit: Justice for Ollie Gobat

A Facebook page “Justice for Ollie Gobat”, created in memory of hotelier and property developer Oliver “Ollie” Gobat who was murdered on April 25, 2014, has announced that Gobat’s ashes were scattered off Smuggler’s Cove Beach to commemorate his 39th birthday.

Yesterday, Nov. 17 would have been Gobat’s 39th birthday, the Facebook page stated.

“Theo and Helen and a group of close friends met on Smuggler’s Beach at Cap Maison at 8am to celebrate this sad and very poignant occasion,” the page stated.

Gobat

“The beach had been Ollie’s favourite swimming spot from when he was a young boy. Theo and Helen then walked into the waves and scattered Ollie’s ashes into the very same stretch of water.”

The page, which was created on June 30, is being used to provide updates on the case and information-sharing/tips to solve the murder. The creators of the Facebook page had said they want those responsible for Gobat’s murder “brought to justice and to improve our law and order”.

Gobat’s parents had released a statement confirming that the charred body found in a burnt Range Rover in Cap Estate, Gros Islet was their son, who was reported missing the same night the remains were found.

Gobat was born in St. Lucia but raised in the United Kingdom. He was the executive director at Cap Maison Resort in Cap Estate, Gros Islet.

The family plans to hold a special press conference on the morning of Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at Cap Maison Resort, where a reward for information and a statement regarding Gobat’s murder will be announced.

Cocaine

PRESS RELEASE - On Sunday, November 9, 2014, officers attached to the Drug  Unit of the Southern Division received a report and as a result proceeded to the Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort.

On arrival, they met with an officer attached to the Customs and Excise Department who gave them certain information and introduced them to three males suspected to be in possession of illegal substances.

They are 43-year-old Anthony Clive Whittey, 19-year-old Chevon Raheem Riley and 23-year-old Jamall Anthony Whittey, a father and sons trio, all of whom are Canadian Nationals.

The suspects were attempting to board flight number 2627 on board West Jet to Toronto, Canada.  During individual searches of their person, the officers observed them wearing modified girdles.

A closer examination of the girdles revealed packages containing what is suspected to be cocaine.

As a result, all three Canadian Nationals were arrested and charged for possession of a controlled drug and possession with the intent to export a controlled drug.

They all appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 where they each pleaded guilty on both charges.

Anthony Clive Whittey was sentenced to one year imprisonment for possession of a controlled drug and one year imprisonment for possession with the intent to export a controlled drug.

The sentences are to be served consecutively.

Jamall Anthony Whittey was fined $25,000.00 on the charge of possession and $10,000.00 on the charge of possession with the intent to export whereas Chevon Raheem Riley was fined $15,000.00 on the charge of possession and $5,000.00 on the charge of possession with the intent to export.

They were each given six months to pay whilst in custody or in default eighteen months in prison.

PRESS RELEASE - On Sunday, November 16, 2014, officers attached to the Drug Unit and Special Services Unit of the Southern Division conducted a joint operation at Vieux Fort.

During the operation, several vehicles were stopped and searched including a brown Toyota Hilux motor pick up registration number 6794 with five occupants.

They are 26-year-old Junior Joseph, 27-year-old Denver Melvin, 24-year-old Kim Justin, all of Bois D’Orange, Gros Islet along with 28-year-old Dave Ephraim and 24-year-old Manduchi Mangal of Bonneterre, Gros Islet.

During the search of the vehicle, the officers recovered a .22 calibre pistol with two rounds of live ammunition. All individuals were arrested and charged for possession of an illegal firearm and possession of ammunition.

They appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.They were each bailed in the sum of $5,000.00 cash or suitable surety for possession of firearm and $3,000.00 cash or suitable surety for possession of ammunition.

They were also ordered to report to the Rodney Bay Police Station, every Monday and Friday as well as to not leave the state without the court’s permission.

From left to right: Helen Gobat, Peter Foster and Theo Gobat.

The parents of slain Saint Lucian hotelier Oliver Gobat is offering an EC$250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of suspects in his killing.

The announcement was made today at a special press conference held at the Cap Maison Resort. Oliver’s mother and father, Helen and Theo Gobat, along with their attorney Peter Foster, were the ones to make the announcement.

Helen told a large gathering of media operatives today that the untimely death of her son has caused the entire family severe emotional pain, describing it as a state of “limbo”.

“I would like to see the evil people who brought this upon Olie, brought to justice for Olie’s sake, for our sake and for the sake of Saint Lucians and everybody who visits this wonderful island,” she said.

Both parents believe that Olie was killed by more than one or two persons. “It is horrible to say that your son is murdered in Saint Lucia,” Helen said.

Asked whether they are satisfied with the work being done by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), Helen replied to say, as a parent, she would have rather have things done faster.

“I think they were some basic mistakes, where the car and the body were moved and the crime scene was not cordoned off, which makes it difficult to investigate down the line,” Helen added.

However, she said Saint Lucia is a small country and it doesn’t have a “super efficient” police force like those in the United States and United Kingdom.

She said local police lack the experience on how to deal with crime of that magnitude and said this is understandable because there is not much crime like that happening here.

Helen also revealed that the family has employed a forensic team from the United Kingdom to help with the investigations. This was made possible with the help of friends and family, who all created a fund for the late Oliver Gobat.

According to her, the government has endorsed the forensic team and the RSLPF has accepted to work alongside the team in their investigations.

“We are hopeful that these things turn up, it takes some time, some of the members of the team resolved crimes 25 years old in England,” she told the local media.

Meanwhile, Oliver’s father Theo said he thinks that Oliver’s killers will be brought to justice, but it might take some time for this to happen. “We will never give up, we will keep on trying until we get answers,” he asserted.

Asked whether they are fearful for their lives, following their son’s gruesome murder, Helen said, “to a point yes, Oliver was killed unexpectedly, unpredictably and outrageously, so how we know that the same people are coming for us? It’s not the same kind of feeling in Saint Lucia for us.”

Theo expressed similar sentiments. He said he feels uneasy every day since his son’s killing. “I do look over my shoulder more often than I would do. It’s not the quiet peaceful place I remember. It is a troubling time.”

Further, the family attorney said the possibilities of the crime being a high-profile hit, with roots beyond these borders, are also being investigated.

Questioned on comments made by friends of Oliver in the international media where they hinted that he (Oliver) might have been in a deal, which went wrong and later led to his execution, Foster said there are no links to those allegations. However, the family attorney did say that Oliver was involved in business transactions here at the time of his death.

Oliver’s parents are also pushing to get foreign assistance in the investigation. In July the RSLPF asked for assistance from the United Kingdom, but was blocked.

The family has since written the Commonwealth office, seeking a resolution and trying to get the much-needed assistance to help local police to investigate their son’s killing.

Oliver was a Saint Lucia, British and Australian citizen.

Helen said the family has received a lot of love and support from staff at the Landings Resort and many Saint Lucians, friends and relatives and have expressed their deep appreciation for the support.

The family is asking anyone who has information relating to Oliver’s death to step forward and provide the information. They can do so by making contact with the Justice for Olie Hotline on 1 -758 -720- 5543 or email justiceforollie@hotmail.com

Oliver’s body was cremated on October 27. His ashes were scattered off Smuggler’s Cove Beach on November 17 to commemorate his 39th birthday.

Oliver Gobat’s body was found in his Range Rover on Cap Estate on April 25 burnt beyond recognition.

A young male was captured by a group of public spirited citizens, moments after snatching a woman’s handbag in the parking lot of Mega J today.

Saint Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the incident happened at about 3:00 p.m.

Eyewitnesses told SNO that the young man who is believed to be in his late teens snatched the woman’s handbag from inside her vehicle trunk, which was left open.

Reports are that the woman was taking her shopping trolley back, which was not far away from where she was parked.

She had just finished packing her shopping bags into the trunk of her vehicle.

After recognizing that she was being robbed  by the young man, the woman alerted a few people in the parking lot and got into her vehicle and gave chase.

Fortunately, a group of young men who were told what had happened went after the young man and he was later captured at Caribbean Cinemas. While the woman’s handbag was recovered, all of her cash was missing.

The matter was reported to the police and he was later arrested.

A group of men in La Clery recently chased and severely beat a man, after he too snatched a woman’s handbag near the Super J outlet there.

Officers from the Marchand Police Station have responded to a report of a death in Arundell Hill, Marchand.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) received a news tip of a suspected suicide around 7:27 p.m. and contacted the Marchand Police Station to confirm the report.

No further details are available, but SNO will provide an update soon, as we proceed to the Castries community.

Suspected suicide victim, Gabriel Rene (centre).

A 62-year-old man was found hanging from a post in his house in La Croix, Marigot on Wednesday evening.

He has been identified as Gabriel Rene who was discovered by his son and daughter-in-law Rod and Alecia Rene with a piece of wire around his neck at about 11 p.m.

The couple had just returned from a church service when they discovered Gabriel dead.

Alecia told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that her father-in law left a note behind, explaining the reason for him taking his own life. The family did not disclose the details of the letter.

Alecia said Gabriel did not show any signs of depression or loneliness, but had a personal issue that he was dealing with.

His son, who is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, expressed shock at his father’s death.

Gabriel leaves to mourn 10 children and six grandchildren.

A post mortem examination will be conducted soon.

Matthew Roberts.

Former Speaker of the House of Assembly Matthew Roberts is currently nursing injuries to his neck and hands at a local hospital after being attacked and robbed.

The former house speaker was reportedly robbed sometime early this morning by an unknown individual.

Reports are that he had stopped for an individual in Roseau and was assisting the person with a drop, who in return attacked and robbed him.

Roberts was found in Cul de Sac and his vehicle was later found abandoned.

He is said to be in a stable condition at the hospital.

Parliament issued a statement today following reports that former House Speaker Matthew Roberts was hospitalised.

“The Parliament of Saint Lucia has with deep regret learnt of the hospitalization of former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Matthew Roberts. Whilst the details surrounding the incident are not yet known, we wish Mr. Roberts a speedy and full recovery,” the statement added.

Reports are that Roberts was allegedly robbed on Sunday morning by an unknown individual. He sustained injuries to his neck and hands.

He had stopped for an individual in Roseau and was assisting the person with a ride, who in return attacked and robbed him.

Roberts was found in Cul de Sac and his vehicle was later found abandoned. He is said to be in a stable condition at hospital.