Maryat’s home.

A Micoud woman is counting her losses after bandits burglarised her New Extension home between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Vernita Maryat told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that when she awoke at 5:00.a.m this morning, she realized that her phone was missing.

“I usually leave my phone at my bed-head, because I would set an alarm. After I realized it was missing I started searching the house for it and couldn’t find it,” she explained.

Maryat said she later discovered that not only was her cellular phone missing, but her laptop and a PS2 game station as well.

The Micoud resident told SNO she also found her kitchen window open. At first she didn’t realize that the bandits used the window to gain entry into her house.

According to her, after investigating properly, she recognized that the window was tampered with. Footprints were also discovered on top of the kitchen counter.

Maryat’s credit card and ID card, along with her wallet was later discovered in the yard.

Upon conducting further checks, she also realized that her black SUV vehicle registration number PK 4171 was missing.

The depressed woman said the key to her vehicle was also missing. Maryat claims that the key to her vehicle was inside her bedroom.

Asked whether her home was ever invaded by bandits before, Maryat responded in the negative.

“This is the first time…Micoud is relatively safe, but recently I’ve heard that there have been a spate of break-ins in my general area, that’s about a month or two ago,” she explained.

“I am hoping that I get back my vehicle, but the police alluded to the fact that they sometimes scrap the vehicle and sell it as scrap parts,” she added.

A report was made with the police and an investigation has been launched.

The net was removed from this window.

Micoud residents are worried about the increasing number of break-and-enters that has been occurring in the community, over the past few weeks.

A resident who requested anonymity told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that the break-and -enters started sometime last month. He said the bandits attempted break-and enter his home.

“The perpetrators strike between 2:00.a.m and 4:00.a.m and they are not deterred if there are any lights on in the house,” the resident explained.

The man said he and his wife went to bed leaving the bedroom light on at about 1:30.a.m one night and woke up about 3:00.a.m to their 6-month-old daughter screaming in her crib.

“We dismissed it as her being hungry and tried to feed her a bottle, to which she refused. It wasn’t until we went outside the next morning that we realized what had happened,” he said.

The concerned resident told SNO that the invaders took the clothespins from the outside line and split it. He believes that they used the plastic part, to lift the window net and then hooked the metal clip into the net, so that it could be removed with minimal noise.

He claims that the clothespins may have been used to steal a purse, which was close to the window. However, they didn’t bother to take it because it had no cash inside.

“Whoever these people are they seem to be very effective, which was clear to us, after hearing they broke-and enter a house not too far from us the same night,” he explained.

He said he would urge people in the area to be very vigilant and to make sure that their homes are properly secured, before they go to sleep or if they are away from home for a long period.

Only yesterday, another Micoud home was burglarized. The bandits gained entry through a kitchen window and stole her cellular phone, laptop, game station and her SUV vehicle. They also managed to get the keys to the vehicle from the owner’s bedroom.

This all happened while she and her four nephews were asleep. The victim, Vernita Maryat told SNO, “Micoud is relatively safe, but recently I’ve heard that there have been a spate of break-ins in my general area, that’s about a month or two ago.”

The home that was recently burglarised.

Acting Inspector Biscette of the Micoud Police Station confirmed with SNO that there has been an increase of break-and-enters in the community. However, the police official told SNO that his team is working feverishly to reduce these incidents and if possible catch the bandits.

Inspector Biscette said that the police have increased patrols in the area, especially during the hours that these break-and enters have been occurring.

“We initiated patrols from October. We do mobile patrols, foot patrols and we have increased police presence in the area. Our officers have a few suspects as well,” he explained.

With regards to the most recent break-and-enter, at New Extension, Micoud, the police official said that a few search warrants were conducted this morning, but nothing was recovered.

However, Inspector Biscette noted that these matters would be strongly pursued, so that the people of Micoud could feel some level of safety and security.

Desmond Victor, aka Jim, is believed to have fallen in the drain to his death.

The body of an elderly male was found in a drain in La Haut, Mon Repos.

Police said the partly decomposed body of 66-year-old Desmond Victor, also known as Jim and Nesmen of Lombard, Mon Repos, was discovered at about 8:25 a.m today, Nov. 26 by  a resident lying face-down in the drain.

Police said Victor was last seen by family members at about 10 a.m on Monday, November 24, 2014.

A post mortem examination will be conducted on the body of Victor at a later date. The police have not suspected foul play in this incident.

Residents in the area believe Victor may have collapsed while eating his dinner. The body was reportedly found with bread, a soft drink and a tin of corn beef.

Reports suggest that the body may have been in the drain for over 24 hours.

Nathaniel Paul aka Egg Man

PRESS RELEASE - Officers attached to the Major Crimes Unit have launched an investigation into the suspected homicide of 29-year-old Nathaniel “Egg Man” Paul of Old Victoria Road, Castries.

On Sunday, 16, November 2014, Nathaniel Paul reportedly left Port Castries on a Boatride to Soufriere. At Soufriere, Paul disembarked the said boat and boarded another vessel destined for Port Castries.

It is alleged that during the ride back to Castries, Paul was involved in an altercation and was pushed overboard.

Information received suggests he was retrieved from the water and re-boarded that same vessel. It is also alleged that about 6:00 p.m., Paul was again pushed off from the said boat and subsequently submerged and has not to be seen again.

The RSLPF is hereby seeking the assistance of individuals who were present on the boat, with information that can assist in the investigation of the disappearance of Nathaniel Paul to contact the Major Crimes Unit at telephone number 456 3754 or the nearest police station.

PRESS RELEASE - On Tuesday, November 25, 2014, officers attached to the Drug Unit conducted an operation at the Barre D’Isle.

During the operation, the officers intercepted a white Toyota motor car registration number PE 3602 driven by Coud “Chemist” Poyotte of Vieux Fort.

A search was carried out on that vehicle as well as its occupant. During the search, the officers discovered two rectangular blocks of what is suspected to be cocaine. Poyotte was subsequently arrested and charged for possession of a controlled drug and possession with the intent to supply a controlled drug.

He appeared before the First District Court in Castries on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. He was bailed in the sum of $20,000.00 cash, suitable surety and land documents on each charge. He was also bailed on conditions such as, report to the Vieux Fort Police Station every Friday and to surrender all travel documents.

PRESS RELEASE - The Royal Saint Lucia Force is celebrating its Police Week of activities for 2014.

One of the activities planned is a Panel Discussion scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2014, at the Conference Room at Chesterfield at 7:00 p.m.

On the panel will be Dr. Stephen King and two ex-commissioners of Police namely Mr. Cuthburt Phillips and Mr. Ausbert Regis. The moderator for the evening will be Mr. Jerry Gorge.

The topic for discussion “Should the police be at the forefront of dealing with persons suffering from mental illness”.

The RSLPF is inviting the general public to participate in this healthy discussion. People in the audience will be given the opportunity to pose questions to the panel.

Not actual vehicle.

Bandits stole a white Toyota panel van bearing registration number PK 1389 sometime early this morning in Bois D’Orange.

The vehicle which belongs to a business in the area was discovered stolen at about 2 a.m.

The driver of the vehicle Lambert Popo told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the vehicle doesn’t have an alarm.

There have been a number of recent reports about vehicles being stolen in different parts of the island.

Only yesterday, a Nissan Almera was stolen from a residence in Monchy, Gros Islet. Earlier this week a black SUV was stolen from a residence in Micoud. Bandits also stole a silver Terios vehicle in La Croix earlier this month.

Most of the stolen vehicles, if found, are either stripped to pieces, or the expensive parts are usually missing.

If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of the vehicle, they can make contact with Popo on 285-6557 or 486-8106.

A St. Lucian family is seeking answers after receiving news this week that their brother was brutally murdered in Martinique.

Jolene Florius told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that her brother, 33-year-old Tony Biscette, aka Nose, of Babonneau, died after he was beaten and then run over with a vehicle about two weeks ago on the neighbouring French island.

Florius said she received the news yesterday when she called her brother’s phone and a man answered it.

“When I called to check up on him, the person who has his phone told me he’s dead,” she said.

“The guy I got in touch with said they beat him up and passed on him with a car, but I’m still trying to get more info and want to go up to check it out,” the sister added.

Florius said the family is trying to find out which mortuary has her brother’s body so they could claim his remains. They’re also anxious to get more information on the killing.

Florius said Biscette went to Martiniqe in February this year.

“I am not sure what he was really doing there, but he told me that he was working on a farm with a guy,” she said.

When asked if she is absolutely sure her brother is dead, Florius said: “He is. No one has heard from him as yet. He always keeps in touch and the guy specifically explained to my big sister what happened.”

Since learning of her brother’s death, Florius has since posted several tributes in his memory.

“I just want you to come say goodbye to me Tony Biscette…please….it hurts so bad…I need you,” she said.

She also dedicated the following in his memory:

“Brother, mi wish mi could a si you now
Mi still have good advise fi gi you now
People tell mi seh life goes on
But mi still miss you any how
It hurt mi so much fi si you gone
Yo never live fi si you youth born
Mi si you mother cry a you funeral”

Charges are expected to be laid soon against four men from the south of the island who were arrested last week in a credit card fraud investigation.

High-placed sources have told St. Lucia News Online that the Major Crimes Unit made the arrests during an operation between Wednesday and Friday.

Reports are that at least three other persons are assisting police with investigations.

Among the persons arrested is a 40-year-old man who was arrested by United Kingdom authorities in September 2014 with help from St. Lucian Customs officers for having equipment used for stealing people’s card details from cash machines.

The man was nabbed shortly after arriving in St. Lucia from Gatwick Airport, according to a report in the Newham Recorder newspaper.

St. Lucian customs officers discovered an ATM skimmer, a device that fits over the card entry slot of a cash machine and steals customer card information, in the man’s luggage. They also found a laptop containing card skimming software. The devices were passed on to officers in the UK who investigate such crimes.

Eventually, he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud the UK banking industry as he was about to board another flight to St Lucia from Gatwick Airport. The Recorder reported that a search of the man’s home “revealed a package containing approximately 100 pre-pay gift cards. These cards, which have a magnetic strip on the back, are commonly used by fraudsters to create counterfeit bank cards using stolen data”.

Officers also found a piece of paper with timings and suspected PINs – thought to be the output from an ATM camera bar where skimming had taken place, according to The Recorder.

He received a 17-month suspended sentence at the Old Bailey on September 22. He was also told to do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £1,000.

DCI Perry Stokes, head of the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit, was quoted by The Recorder as saying: “This fraudster was discovered with all the equipment needed to steal card details and cash from unknown individuals. Thanks to the hard work of our officers, working alongside police in St. Lucia, we were able to prevent British bank customers from becoming fraud victims.”

A public meeting has been called to discuss a recent spate of burglaries in Micoud. The open forum meeting has been called by the Micoud Police Station, after a number of reports were made regarding the crimes and action being taken to tackle the issue.

The meeting is due to be held today at the Mon Repos Combined School and will commence at 7:00.p.m sharp. “This meeting is to discuss the recent burglaries in the community and the way forward. All are asked to make it your business to be present and on time,” the police said.

A number of Micoud residents have expressed concern over the spate of burglaries and has since called on the local police to address the issue. At least four homes have been burglarized over the past few weeks, with one woman losing her SUV vehicle.

Acting Inspector Biscette of the Micoud Police Station had confirmed with St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that there has been an increase of break-and-enters in the community. He said that the police have increased its patrols, especially during the hours that these break-and enters occur.

However, residents claim that the patrols have not been very useful, especially since the bandits could be timing the patrols and knows exactly when to strike. These issues will be discussed at the forum later today.

The aim is for the police to get community support and together develop a strategy to tackle the issue, with hope reducing these crimes.

L-R: Sherman Williams and Jevone Demming
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

The duo accused of shooting a Saint Lucian man in the British Virgin Island (BVI) during September 2012, will be sentenced next year.  

Sherman Williams and Jevon Demming, said to be cousins, will be sentenced with attempted murder in relation to a shooting Neil St. Rose, 37, a St. Lucian citizen.

Virgin Islands Platinum News has reported that on Friday, November 21, a sentencing hearing was scheduled for the men; however, it was pushed back until December 11.

The presiding judge Nicola Byer said she will listen to the points put forward by the defence and crown on that day, but will render her decision in January 2015, according to Platinum News.

On October 22, following a trial, jurors returned an 8-1 verdict for Demming on the attempted murder charge and Williams’ verdict was unanimous.

Platinum News also reported that Williams, who was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, was unanimously found guilty on that charge.

The men are currently on remand.

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

A British parliamentarian has called on the United Kingdom (U.K) government to assist with the investigations into the murder of Oliver Gobat.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has reported that Conservative Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton, Dominic Raab, made the request at a recent sitting of the British parliament.

“The foreign secretary knows my constituent Ollie Gobat was brutally murdered in St Lucia in an apparent assassination. I’m very grateful officials are discussing assurances on the death penalty to allow UK police to support the investigation at St Lucian request,” Raab told the parliament, the BBC reported.

However, the issue of contention is that the UK cannot examine cases where a suspect could face the death penalty. While the death penalty had not been applied in St Lucia for 19 years, the country has not abandoned the old law.

Most importantly, request for support in investigating high-profile cases are considered carefully in the UK, including taking into account human rights concerns.

The MP which represents Surrey, the village where Gobat was raised also requested that the foreign secretary to make contact with Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, to work out the arrangements.  The aim is to get St. Lucia to agree not to seek the death penalty in the matter.

According to the BBC, the British Foreign Minister James Duddridge related to Raab and the House of Assembly that he had written Dr. Anthony on 14 October, to seek assurances that any person convicted of this crime will not have the death penalty applied.

St. Lucia has not responded, but the British foreign minister assured Raab that he will follow up with Dr. Anthony, if there is no response during a certain period.

Oliver’s parents, Helen and Theo Gobat have been pushing for foreign assistance. The family has already employed a forensic team from the UK to assist with the investigation. This was made possible through a fund created by friends of Oliver.

Four men accused of credit card fraud were charged yesterday at the First District Court in Castries, following investigations.

This was confirmed with Police Press Officer Aniel Innocent. Innocent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she will not be able to say what the exact charge is.

The police press officer also said the names of these individuals will not be disclosed at this time.

Innocent said the matter is still being investigated, which makes it impossible for the police to provide the names of the four men and other details in the case.

SNO understands that at least three other persons are assisting police with investigations.

Among the persons charged is a 40-year-old man from the United Kingdom. UK police had arrested him in September 2014 with help from St. Lucian Customs officers for having equipment used for stealing people’s card details from cash machines.

The man was nabbed shortly after arriving in St. Lucia from Gatwick Airport, according to a report in the Newham Recorder newspaper.

St. Lucian customs officers discovered an ATM skimmer, a device that fits over the card entry slot of a cash machine and steals customer card information, in the man’s luggage. They also found a laptop containing card skimming software. The devices were passed on to officers in the UK who investigate such crimes.

Eventually, he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud the UK banking industry as he was about to board another flight to St Lucia from Gatwick Airport.

The Recorder reported that a search of the man’s home “revealed a package containing approximately 100 pre-pay gift cards. These cards, which have a magnetic strip on the back, are commonly used by fraudsters to create counterfeit bank cards using stolen data.

Officers also found a piece of paper with timings and suspected PINs – thought to be the output from an ATM camera bar where skimming had taken place, according to The Recorder.

He received a 17-month suspended sentence at the Old Bailey on September 22. He was also told to do 100 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £1,000.

DCI Perry Stokes, head of the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit, was quoted by The Recorder as saying: “This fraudster was discovered with all the equipment needed to steal card details and cash from unknown individuals. Thanks to the hard work of our officers, working alongside police in St. Lucia, we were able to prevent British bank customers from becoming fraud victims.”

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

The parents of former St. Lucian hotelier Oliver Gobat have doubled a reward offered for information on his murder. His parents, Theo and Helen Gobat, are now offering a £120,000 or EC$508,000 reward.

“We are offering a bit more because whoever comes forward will need to leave the island,” Theo Gobat reportedly told the BBC. Theo said since the appeal was launched in St. Lucia a few weeks back, there has been a gradual response and it is beginning to work.

However, Oliver’s mother Helen told the BBC, “Nothing is going to bring him back, but I want to know how it happened and why it happened.”

A British parliamentarian recently called on the United Kingdom (U.K) government to assist with the investigations into the murder of Oliver Gobat.

The Conservative Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton, Dominic Raab, made the request at a recent sitting of the British parliament.

The British Foreign Minister James Duddridge said he is awaiting a response from the St. Lucian government, on whether they will agree not to apply the death penalty. The UK cannot examine cases where a suspect could face the death penalty.

Oliver’s parents, Helen and Theo Gobat have been pushing for foreign assistance. The family has already employed a forensic team from the UK to assist with the investigation. This was made possible through a fund created by friends of Oliver.

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

Residents in Bois Patat, Castries are fearful that a shooting incident and two vehicle fires that occurred in the community Wednesday night, Dec. 3 may lead to a fresh flare-up of gang violence.

Details are sketchy at this time, but at about 8 p.m. St. Lucia News Online (SNO) received reports of gunshots being fired in Bois Patat.

It was later confirmed that a man, Ivor Hilaire, aka Con Man, was shot several times and he was taken to hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

SNO also received reports that two vehicles were damaged or destroyed by fire in Bois Patat around the same time of the shooting. It is alleged that a vehicle was set on fire and another vehicle nearby also got damaged.

It is not yet clear if the vehicle fires and the shooting are related, though Bois Patat residents have told SNO that bandits from Morne Du Don are responsible for both incidents.

It is also alleged that a small shop and a young woman were robbed during the attack.

PRESS RELEASE - The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to inform the general public that due to technical difficulties, the 999 emergency lines at the Police Control Room is none operational.

To report emergencies, people are asked to dial telephone numbers 456 3990 or 456 3700.

The RSLPF is asking members of the public to exercise some patience as the telecommunication provider is working assiduously to restore the emergency lines.

*Not the actual vehicle fire.

PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, December 3, 2014 about 8:30 p.m., officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department received a report of arson at Bois Patat, Morne Dudon.

On arrival, they observed that two vehicles were ablaze. The vehicles belonged to Bois Patat residents and were parked near each other. No one has been arrested in relation to this incident.

However, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force is appealing to anyone, who has information that can assist in the investigation of these arson incidents, to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at telephone number 456 3770 or the nearest police station.

PRESS RELEASE - Officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting of 35-year-old, Ivor Hiliare of Bois Patat, Morne Dudon.

The shooting occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at Bois Patat. It is alleged that four armed mask men fired shots in the direction of Hiliare, hitting him in the abdomen.

Hiliare was subsequently transported to Victoria Hospital, where he was treated and admitted. Officers are pursuing suspects in this matter.

The individual that was shot last night in Bois Patat, during what residents described as a gang attack is recovering at the hospital, after having undergone a surgery to remove a bullet from his body.

Ivor Hilaire, aka Con Man who is said to be in his late 30’s was shot at about 8:00.p.m by a group of men.

One of Hilaire’s relatives told SNO that he was sitting on his verandah, when shots started firing in the area.

“He ran into a nearby bush and that is where we heard he collapsed, because they kept looking for him until they found him and shot him,” the relative told SNO.

Meanwhile, Hilaire’s girlfriend who does not want to be named told SNO that her boyfriend’s shooting may have stemmed from the gang violence between communities in Castries.

She said yesterday at around 3:00.p.m. people reportedly saw masked men in the area and she had warned her boyfriend that the gang violence could start again.

According to her, Hilaire sustained one gunshot to his buttocks, which travel through his body and pierced his liver. He underwent surgery to have the bullet removed and is now recovering.

Residents in Bois Patat, Castries are fearful that the shooting incident may lead to a fresh flare-up of gang violence.

SNO had also received reports that two vehicles were damaged or destroyed by fire in Bois Patat around the same time of the shooting. It is alleged that a vehicle was set on fire and another vehicle nearby also got damaged.

It is not yet clear if the vehicle fires and the shooting are related, though Bois Patat residents have told SNO that bandits from Morne Du Don are responsible for both incidents. It is also alleged that a small shop and a young woman were robbed during the attack.

The bags containing the drugs, suspected to be cannabis.

Officers from the Traffic Department recovered a large quantity of drugs, suspected to be marijuana, during a routine patrol in Anse Gallet, Anse La Raye Thursday night, Dec. 4.

Reports are that at about 8:45 p.m. men acting suspiciously off loaded several black plastic bags and fled in a white pickup after encountering the lawmen, who gave chase but failed to nab the suspects.

A source said based on the quantity of drugs, it could weigh in excess of 100 pounds.

The packages contain green plant material, but lab tests will be carried out to confirm this on Friday, the source said.