Richard Dissimo.

An American tourist, who accused a male police officer of abusing him on the Marigot Beach on Monday, has logged a formal report with the Police Complaints Department.

The report was made yesterday (Dec.17) at about 10:00.a.m.

The tourist, Richard Dissimo, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that he was accompanied by two witnesses to the department.

Dissimo said he is very upset with the situation. The 65-year-old man will meet with his attorney on Friday, to see what course of action could be taken against the police.

The American tourist said he loves St. Lucia for its beautiful beaches. He first came to the island a few years back and said he was so thrilled by its beauty that he had to return. He spent a few weeks during his second trip to the island and came back more recently. He was planning to stay five months.

However, Dissimo said he is shaken up by the incident and now has a different perception of St. Lucia, based on that incident.

Dissimo has accused the male police officer of damaging his phone, while he was filing the sunset. According to him, the officer believed that he was videoing him instead. Even when he explained to the officer that he wasn’t, the tourist was chased off the beach.

An eyewitness said she recalled the police officer saying to Dissimo, “get off the beach,” while a few St. Lucians were saying to the officer, “Kool out gasa you can’t do this to a tourist.”

The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force issued a statement yesterday stating that force is yet to identify any formal reports made by anyone in relation to the matter.

Missing: Leana Taylor.

A 23-year-old woman from Cul-de-Sac has been reported missing since Friday last. Leana Taylor was last seen in her neighbourhood at about 7:00.p.m on Friday (Dec.12).

Leana’s sister, Jacqueline Taylor, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that a formal report was made with the police last evening, after numerous attempts to locate her sister failed.

Jacqueline said that no one was at home when her sister left, so they are unable to say what clothing she was wearing during the time she went missing.

The depressed woman told SNO that she has been calling everywhere and everybody that knows Leana, but everyone said they haven’t seen her.

Jacqueline said she finds it strange that her sister would disappear for so long, when she has three children to take care of. Leana have two boys’ ages two and five, and one girl who is six -years-old.

The missing woman’s sister said it became even more worrying when Leana didn’t call to wish her son who turned five on Monday, happy birthday.  Another sister of Leana’s also celebrated her birthday on Tuesday and relatives didn’t hear from Leana either.

Jacqueline said she is worried that something might have happened to her sister. She claims that Leana’s children father has been very abusive towards her, despite the two have separated.

She said the said man had allegdely threatened her mother once and the matter was reported to the police. He did not show up for court and has been hiding since.

However, according to her, Leana recently struck up a relationship with a man who lives in her street and this has since caused her children father to become upset. The relatives alleged that he may be responsible for her disappearance.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Leana Taylor can contact her sister on 1-758-712-3210 or the nearest police station.

A man identified as Donald (only name given) was severely chopped a few minutes ago in Paix Bouche, Babonneau. Reports are that the incident occurred at about 9:30.p.m.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the police had intervened in an earlier altercation, involving Donald and another individual.

The details are still sketchy. We will provide you with more information as soon as it becomes available.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, December 18, 2014, officers attached to the Drug Unit of the Southern Division executed a search warrant on the premises of Collins Aimable of La Pointe, Mon Repos.

During the search of the premises, the officers recovered five hundred and twenty four pounds of green plant materials suspected to be Marijuana.

The officers also apprehended a 34-year-old Barbadian national who was on the premises at the time. A second suspect fled the scene and is being pursued.

Drug related charges will be laid against the Barbadian national at a later date.

Marijuana plants

PRESS RELEASE - About 4:15 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, officers attached to the Marine and Drug Units intercepted a pirogue within the territorial waters of St. Lucia, travelling in a northerly direction towards Martinique.

At the time of the intercept, there were three males on board the vessel.

A search was carried out on their person as well as the pirogue. During the search, the officers recovered ten polythene bags and a black plastic bag containing green plant materials suspected to be marijuana.

The three suspects, two of whom are French nationals and the third, a St. Lucia national were taken into police custody. They are expected to be charged shortly.

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, December 18, 2014, officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Southern Division preferred charges against two males, in connection to the homicide of 19-year-old Nemiah Jn. Pierre of Augier, Vieux Fort.

The said homicide occurred about 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Augier, Vieux Fort.

28-year-old Ken “Lego” Albert of Augier, Vieux Fort was charged for causing the death of Nemiah Jn Pierre whereas 25-year-old Kendal Caull, also of Augier Vieux Fort was charged for aiding and abetting to commit the murder of Nemiah Jn. Pierre.

Both individuals appeared before the Second District Court in Vieux Fort on Friday, December 19, 2014 and were remanded to the Bordelais Correctional Facility until January 13, 2015.

PRESS RELEASE - About 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014, officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department received a report of an attempted robbery at Bois Patat, Morne Du Don.

It is alleged that 49-year-old Hyacinth Sidonie of Bois Patat, Morne Du Don, had just parked his omnibus near his home when he was approached by two armed, masked men who attempted to rob him.

Sidonie attempted to evade the armed men when one of them discharged a round of ammunition in his direction, hitting him on the lower part of his body.

Sidonie was immediately transported to Victoria Hospital where he was treated and admitted for a gunshot wound. 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 this shooting incident to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at telephone numbers 456 3770 or 456 3758.

A Morne Du Don bus driver, who was shot last night by two armed bandits, is calling for the National Council of Public Transportation (NCOPT), to fast track the implementation of the cashless system for St. Lucia transportation sector.

Hyacinth Sidonie believes that this could help to reduce the chances of bus drivers being attacked and robbed.

The 49-year-old man told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) in an interview today that the situation is becoming very dangerous and every avenue must be looked at to protect bus drivers.

Sidonie said he is seeking to have this system introduced specifically because his attackers demanded cash. This is the usual trend whenever bus drivers are attacked, he told SNO.

Sidonie said the cashless system will ensure that drivers do not carry around cash with them, and in the cases where they do for personal use, it would be in small amounts.

Three armed bandits had robbed another Morne Du Don mini-bus driver of an undisclosed sum of cash on Thursday, November 13 in La Pansee, Castries. Barthelmy Florent, 53, was robbed at gunpoint and beaten by the bandits. He sustained several cuts and bruises.

A bus driver was also robbed on September 19, in Forestiere. Phillip ‘Sonny’ John, 54, of Forestiere, was attacked by three armed bandits. He was robbed of an undisclosed sum of cash, his cellular phone and the keys to his minibus and house.

Leana Taylor.

A woman who was reported missing for one week has returned home safely. Leana Taylor, 23, of Cul de Sac, returned home at about 8:30.p.m on Thursday.

The mother of three told a relative that she read the story on St. Lucia News Online (SNO), which caused her to return home. However, relatives said she didn’t give any further explanation nor apologized.

Her sister, Jacqueline Taylor, told SNO that she seemed terrified when she returned home. Jacqueline is convinced that her sister was kept at someone’s home against her will and is afraid to speak.

Leana went missing on Friday (Dec.12).The matter was reported to the police, after numerous attempts to locate her failed.

Gilbert, Vibert (Photo provided by VIPD)

Domestic violence detectives on St. Croix are searching for Vibert Gilbert, also known as “Eddie,” in connection with a domestic violence assault, the V.I. Police Department reported.

Officers said Gilbert assaulted his woman, causing visible injuries.

Detectives said Gilbert,  also known as “Eddie,” is a 26-year-old black man with straight hair. He was born on St. Lucia. He frequents the Front Line Night Club and the Louis E. Brown Apartments.

Anyone who knows Gilbert’s whereabouts is asked to call detectives at 1-340-712-6086, 911 or Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477.

PM Anthony

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – St Lucia Prime Minister Dr.Kenny Anthony has responded to reports that jobless and frustrated young people on the island are entertaining thoughts of killing him.

The matter was brought to light during a television show, hosted by newspaper publisher Rick Wayne.

Anthony in television interview Friday, said that it was not unusual for a Prime Minister to receive threats, but observed that it was not often that such statements are made publicly.

“In these islands we treat these things lightly, but we don’t understand that times have changed,” Anthony told his audience.

“Clearly, when the statements were made the best thing was to have said to the young man was that’s not the way to deal with those issues and resolve them,” the Prime Minister stated.

Anthony noted that Lashawn Lambert, who made the complaint during the television programme, while complaining on behalf of others, was himself employed, so that the issue was not the same for him.

The Prime Minister recalled that when Stephenson King was Prime Minister, someone was killed in King’s constituency office in La Clery, just over four years ago.

“That really was to all intents and purposes, a warning of what could happen to any MP or Prime Minister, so we need to take these issues seriously and get a sense of who are the persons orchestrating and encouraging this kind of behaviour,” Anthony said.

Asked whether he felt personally threatened, Anthony, who is also the Member of Parliament for Vieux Fort South said it was part of the “hazard of the business.”

However he revealed that his family and officials of his ruling party were concerned.

Anthony also disclosed that he was disappointed in the reaction of leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet and his party, whom he accused of being “apologists” for anti social behaviour.

In a statement this week Chastanet, accused the government of overreacting to reports that young people, frustrated by the economic situation, were entertaining the idea of killing the Prime Minister.

He said that while he considered it an extremely serious matter, he did not think that when the young man made the claims, he was threatening the Prime Minister.

“I think he was crying out to the young people who are being marginalised and have lost hope,” the UWP leader asserted.

According to Chastanet, one would have hoped that the government would have reacted “accordingly” and actively reached out to all the young people in St Lucia.

He said he had hoped that the Ministries of Youth and Economic Affairs would have gotten together on a programme to bring relief to young people.

Chastanet said that the unemployment rate has risen almost five percent since the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) got into office, with the unemployment figure for young people being some 44 percent.

“That to my mind is what the government should have been reacting to,” he said.

Two police officers this week interviewed Lambert at the offices of the Star Newspaper, where he is employed.

PRESS RELEASE - On Saturday, December 20, 2014, a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of 19 year old Kerry Louis of Paix Bouche, Babonneau. The results indicate hemorrhagic secondary to incised wounds.

25-year-old Devon Phillip of Paix Bouche, Babonneau was subsequently charged for causing the death of Kerry Louis. He is expected to appear before the First District Court in Castries on Monday, December 22, 2014.

Louis succumbed to injuries sustained during a dispute between Devon Phillip and himself. It is alleged that Phillip attacked Louis with a cutlass whilst at Paix Bouche, Babonneau about 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2014.

The body of a middle-aged man was found at Cantonemnet, Vieux Fort sometime this morning.

The dead man has been identified as Henry Auguste, who is better known as Bosquet. He is originally from Babonneau.

The discovery was made by a neighbour. Auguste’s body was found inside his home.

There were no immediate signs of foul play, according to police.

The man charged for the Paix Bouche homicide has been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Devon Phillip, 25, of Paix Bouche, Babonneau is accused of attacking Kerry Louis, 19, with a cutlass on Thursday, December 18, 2014.

Louis sustained chops to his neck and cheek. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Victoria Hospital a few minutes after the incident.

Phillip was charged with causing the death of Louis. He made his first court appearance in the First District Court in Castries this morning.

He was remanded until January 30, 2015.

A post mortem examination conducted on the body of Louis, indicated that he died from hemorrhagic secondary to incised wounds.

PRESS RELEASE - The Police Welfare Association has written to the Commissioner of Police informing him of our intention to seek the court’s intervention to ensure its members are not disadvantaged by the Promotion Guidelines.

The PWA believes that the guidelines in its current form, disadvantages a wide cross section of its membership and promotions should not be allowed to continue using the current guidelines.

A motor vehicle was stolen from Pigeon Island, Gros-Islet between Saturday night and the wee hours of this morning (Dec. 28).

Missing is a grey Nissan Wagon (registration #PK2807).

The owner told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she secured her vehicle and left to attend the Corona Igloo fete. She discovered the vehicle missing at about 2 a.m., around the time the fete ended.

She said the vehicle is very old and is used to conduct her business.

Anyone with information can contact her at 720-6537 or the nearest police station.

An inmate, who escaped from the Bordelais Correctional Facility this morning, is now in police custody.

He was recaptured earlier today in Dennery.

Joshua Richardson of Marchand, Castries was on remand for theft and fraud charges when he escaped.

It is not yet clear how he escaped.

The 42-year-old was an employee at a local hotel.

More details soon.

A car was stolen from Monier, Gros-Islet over the weekend.

Reports are that a Mitsubishi Lancer, sporting a white body and black bonnet, was parked near Ras Carter’s shop in Monier around midnight-Saturday morning.

The car was discovered missing at about 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

The car’s registration number is PD1604.

Anyone with information can contact Doxilly at 715-7071 or the nearest police station.

This is the second car reported stolen over the weekend.

A grey Nissan Wagon (registration #PK2807)was stolen from Pigeon Island, Gros-Islet between Saturday night and the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The owner told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she secured her vehicle and left to attend the Corona Igloo fete. She discovered the vehicle missing at about 2 a.m., around the time the fete ended. She said the vehicle is very old and is used to conduct her business.

The Anse La Raye Police Station has made an arrest in connection with a stabbing incident in the town on Sunday, Dec. 28.

Reports are that one Charm Ferdinand of Mole Street, Anse La Raye was stabbed several times during an alleged altercation with another man at around 9:45 p.m.

The incident reportedly occurred at the intersection of Mole Street and St. Louis Street.

Ferdinand reportedly sustained wounds to his neck and waist. His condition is unknown at this time.

Police sources said a man is currently behind bars in connection with the incident.

A source said the stabbing may have stemmed from a feud between the men earlier this month.

A man attempted to hang himself in Barre Denis on Sunday, two days after a distant neighbour, Goddard Albert, aka Debo died from suspected suicide.

Reports are that the man was stopped after he was discovered by his girlfriend’s younger sister with the rope, getting ready to carry out the act Sunday morning underneath a house.

“They had time to remove the rope from his neck,” a resident of the community said.

The man, who attempted suicide, is the boyfriend of a cousin of Goddard Albert.

Albert was found hanging by a rope underneath a house at around 1:45 on Friday, Dec. 26 after reportedly telling his mother in Canada about his suicidal intentions.

This is not the first time this year that a person on island had attempted suicide.

Earlier this year, a young woman in the southern part of the island was about to hang herself when a relative arrived just in time to cut her loose.

The island has been rocked by a series of suicides and attempted suicides over the past year with the majority of them being committed by males.

SNO will provide more information on the latest development as soon as it becomes available.