* This is not the actual knife used during the attack.
A man was slashed in the face and hands multiple times today at the Gros Islet Bus Park.
The incident occurred around 12:49 p.m.
An eyewitness told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the assailant ran away few minutes later.
The police responded and assisted the victim to the hospital, but did not manage to catch the attacker.
No more details available at this time.
Minister Victor La Corbiniere.
Despite reports that Saint Lucia’s Top Cop Vernon Francois is preparing for early retirement, National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere has said it is just mere speculation.
The minister told the media today that the government will issue a statement in due course to address this issue. He said the government will do this at an appropriate time.
François was expected to return to work today after being instructed to continue on vacation leave, even with the absence of the acting Police Chief Errol Alexander, who is currently overseas.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Severin Moncherry is currently acting as the head of the Police Force, in the absence of Alexander, who will return on September 27.
Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that Francois has made a request for early retirement, months after being sent on leave on a number of occasions.
The request will be forwarded to the Public Service Commission for a decision, but approval will be granted by the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy.
It was reported that the authorities were looking to send a few senior police officials on early retirement, following the revelations from the report of alleged extra-judicial killings back in 2010-2011.
Francois headed what was dubbed “Operation Restore Confidence” which saw an unparalleled cut down in violent crime resulting in the fatal shooting of 12 suspects during that same period.
Another Saint Lucian video has gone viral.
This time, it is not of a burglar getting beaten, but a video – posted on Facebook on Monday night – of a brawl involving three females.
The fight occurred in front Citizen’s Jewellery and a bus stand on High Street.
It is not clear what date and time the fight occurred, but the video had already exceeded 25,000 views and 500 shares at the time of posting this report. Some say the incident occurred a long time ago and has resurfaced.
In the beginning of the 53-second video, a man attempted to prevent an altercation between the trio. However, this did not quell the dispute and a fight erupted quickly between two of the females.
The third female, believed to be a sister of one of the fighters, got involved with the throwing of kicks, punches and hair-pulling when a female in the crowd encouraged her repeatedly to “put for your sister”. Initially, she appeared reluctant to intervene but threw a solid punch when her sister was brought down during the fight.
Eventually the fight, which occurred in the middle of the busy Castries city street, was parted by a woman. Other pedestrians also tried to separate the fighters.
PRESS RELEASE – “Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.
APPLICATION FOR PERMITS FOR MARCHES OR EXHIBITIONS
According to section 10 of the Public Order Act of Saint Lucia 2008
(1) Any person who desires to organize any public march or meeting with a view to exhibit any visual images with or without sound in a public place shall, at least 3 days before the day on which such public march or exhibition is to take place, apply to the Commissioner of Police for a permit.
(2) Every application under subsection (1) shall be in writing and shall contain particulars of—
(a) the name or names of the person or persons desiring to organise the public march or the exhibition to which the application relates;
(b) the purpose or purposes of the march or the exhibition;
(c) in the case of a public march the point of departure route and the point of termination of march or in the case of an audio visual exhibition, the place of exhibition;
(d) the hours between which the march or the exhibition shall take place; and
(e) an estimate of the number of persons who are expected to take part in the march or to witness the exhibition.
This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.
A 23-year-old man who was arrested and charged for a recent burglary in Carellie, Castries could press charges against the men who were seen assaulting him in the video that went viral on the internet.
Police Public Relations Officer Zachary Hippolyte told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Benjamin Joseph could pursue this matter by lodging an official report with the police.
Until such time, the police will not be able to charge anyone, he said. However, once it is reported, it will be duty of the police to investigate this matter within the framework of the laws of Saint Lucia.
Hipployte had told SNO in a previous interview, that persons cannot fight crime by committing another crime, noting that there are laws to protect each individual right.
“This is the reason why we are guided by laws. And if we are a society that contributes or we promote committing a crime to fight crime, then we definitely will never, never put a dent on crime, because you are committing a crime to try and stop crime, so you’re adding onto the crime problem.” Hipployte said.
Reports are that Joseph gained entry through a window in the bottom flat of the Carellie house. A friend of the owner reportedly came into contact with him when he visited the home.
The trespasser attempted to flee, but neighbours managed to tie him up. He had in his possession, cash and other items, including a TV remote control, that were stolen from the house.
He was handed over to the police, but not before residents beat him with the use of tree branches.
Joseph was charged for the offences of stealing from dwelling house and damage to property.
On Sept. 14 he was granted $1,500 bail.
* Not the actual brownie.
Police have launched an investigation following the discovery of brownies which are believed to contain marijuana and alcohol at a secondary school in the North of the island.
Leading the investigation is the Community Relations Branch (CRB) of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) which said 17 brownies were discovered in a store room, hidden among old furniture.
The brownies were discovered following a random search conducted by the police at the school during February of this year. The search was conducted based on the advice of the principal.
Corporal Ted King told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that four students have admitted to knowing about the brownies and said they indeed contain marijuana and alcohol.
One of the students admitted to owning the brownies and identified the three others as persons recruited to help with the sale of these eatables within the school.
All four students involved in this incident underwent drug tests, but the results returned negative. They were however sent for counseling and are said to be doing well.
Meanwhile, the brownies will have to be tested to determine that it contained both marijuana and alcohol. But King told SNO that this process could take a few months.
Oliver Gobat.
GET SURREY – The family of a man shot dead and left in a torched car in St Lucia in April 2014 are “hopeful” they will finally get answers as Home Secretary Theresa May has authorised help for the investigation from UK police.
Ollie Gobat, who grew up in Esher before moving back to the Caribbean island where he was born, was 38 when he was executed on April 24 last year in a killing thought to be related to a legitimate multi-million dollar property deal he was near completing.
But a decision for UK police to help the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) was subject to long diplomatic negotiations, as the island still holds the death penalty.
In her letter to Mr Gobat’s family sent this summer, Mrs May recognised it had been a hard time for the family.
“I can assure you that the UK government wishes to do all we can to ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out into his death and that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice,” she wroted.
“It was important to balance my desire to provide assistance to the investigation with the need to ensure that it was being carried out with integrity and that the safety of any UK officers involved could be guaranteed.”
Corruption
Mrs May’s decision came after she was assured of the “integrity” of the investigation and had the safety of Scotland Yard and Surrey Police officers guaranteed.
The investigation into Mr Gobat’s death has been fraught since the outset, with issues including the car being moved on the night of the incident and the scene not being cordoned off.
An independent report published in April exposed corruption in the RSLPF, finding that police officers had carried out extrajudicial killings.
Mr Gobat’s mother Helen, said this week: “Once a proper investigation has begun, and with some new faces in the RSLPF since March when a report into the police was announced, we are hopeful that we will find out what happened and why.
“Revenge is not in our make-up as nothing will bring our beloved Ollie back.”
However, Mrs Gobat was “in despair” on Monday as although the family heard from Mrs May in mid-June and the RSLPF announced the initiative in August, no dates had yet been set. It is believed arrangements are now being made.
It is likely detectives from St Lucia will join with Surrey Police and look at the evidence that has been amassed, some by outside contractors, over the past 18 months.
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The frontpage of The Star newspaper recently.
“An adventure in absurdity and falsity”‘ is how Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has described the Star newspaper report questioning whether Commissioner of Police Vernon Francois was given $5 million to retire in the public’s interest.
At a press briefing currently underway, Prime Minister Anthony explained that Francois has opted to retire of his own accord and the process is not yet complete.
“Five million dollars is astronomical. I have roads to build and things to do. As Minister for Finance I have not seen this figure. This is an adventure in absurdity and falsity,” Dr. Anthony stated.
– Info from Jadia Jn Pierre-Emmanuel’s Facebook profile. Pierre-Emmanuel is Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister
Dave Joseph.
The main suspect in the September 7 shooting death of a teenager at Hospital Road, Castries has been officially arrested and charged by police.
The Police Public Relations Department said in a press statement today that Dave Joseph, also known as “Pirate” and “Bird Eye” of Bagatelle, Castries, has been slapped with the capital offence of murder.
He is accused of murdering Brandon Breedy,18, in his bed, between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Reports are that the teenager, who was recovering from an illness, was on his cell phone when his attacker entered his home and opened fire. He sustained three gunshot wounds to his chest and head.
Breedy’s lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood on his bed, residents said.
Relatives had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Breedy was killed by his friend as a result of a dispute over a female.
According to relatives, several eyewitnesses have reported seeing one or more suspects entering and fleeing the house around the time of the shooting.
The police had arrested Joseph on September 12 for questioning.
* Not actual break-in.
There have been a series of car break-ins occurring at the lower car park at Victoria Hospital, with one of the most recent incidents occurring on Wednesday, September 16, according to a relative of two victims.
Melissa Albert told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that her two sisters parked a 2013 Subaru and a 2014 Terios between 5:40 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. to visit their sick father at the hospital.
On returning to their vehicles, Albert said her sisters realised that both cars were broken into. The robbers gained entry by breaking the windows, although they are equipped with alarms.
The robbers even found their bags which were hidden underneath the car seats.
According to Albert, the security guards told her sisters that they are aware of the ongoing problem, but explained that they’re not responsible for providing security for that particular area.
“The Criminal Investigations Department is also aware of this. We found out from the police that prior to my sisters’ reports, three other reports were made earlier, making this a total of five break-ins for September 16,” Albert explained.
But what is more interesting, is the fact that the security at the hospital has informed the police of a suspicious car spotted in the area numerous times and the occupants are suspected to be thieves.
“Why hasn’t the Ministry of Health taken steps to secure this area, at least during visiting hours? Are they waiting for something more serious to happen before something is done?” she questioned.
SNO made contact with the police but was unable to get an official comment on the issue.
Attempts were also made to contact Victoria Hospital, but most of the phones lines were either busy or out of service.
Anyone with information about the bags are asked to contact Melissa Albert on 726-3292.
The bags and contents belong to Trecia Jules and Albert Verneuil.
The window which was broken to enter the building. Credit: Champi Deux.
Bandits broke into Ti-Rocher Micoud Daycare Center, stealing all the food items in stock and a radio.
The discovery was made today by staff of the daycaare centre.
Reports are that the bandits gained entry through a window, which they broke.
Police are investigating.
Dave Joseph, who is accused of murdering his friend and the attempted murder of two other people, not only made threatening gestures at members of the media when he made his first appearance in a Magistrate’s Court today, but also spat on a television reporter.
The reporter, Miguel Fevrier of Choice News Now, revealed the incident in a Facebook post this evening, stating that he is convinced that his job is one of the “riskiest” in the world.
Fevrier said: “Today I stared pure evil right in the face. While filming the court appearance of the 23-year-old accused of murdering an 18-year-old in Faux a Chaud, I experienced one of the most humiliating, yet infuriating encounters ever on the job. As the accused walked, he raised his middle fingers at the members of the media, made shooting demonstrations with his hands, pretending to be discharging firearms. The worst however was when he deliberately spat on me.”
Joseph, who is accused of shooting Brandon Breedy in his bed, continued his evil demonstrations in the courtroom.
“It was not over however; as I sat inside the court room, he continued staring and pointing that gun finger. Note, he has had a previous conviction for wounding and is currently on bail for a firearm-related offence and has been slapped with another charge of attempted murder and wounding with a dangerous instrument (AT 23!!!!),” the journalist wrote.
Though Fevrier described it as one of the riskiest jobs in the world, he said he love his job nonetheless.
“While it is not something I intend to take lightly, after this experience, and earlier this week with the two Wilton’s Yard teenagers, I’m finally convinced that this is one of the riskiest jobs in the world, but I love it nonetheless. Apart from that though, I really believe that there is something fundamentally wrong with a number of societal systems which need URGENT URGENT URGENT attention.”
The journalist urged politicians to “stop the lip service and aim to provide the various organs of society the tools they need to stop this scourge”.
He added: “We need to be able to place more confidence in our police force and justice system so we can be assured our peace of mind when we lay down at nights. I will never openly advocate vigilante justice, because as it stands, our Criminal Code labels it an offence.
“But my experience today, and the way I felt and am still feeling, I understand what people go through sometimes – not fear, but extreme anger! Despite the experience however, I have come to the realisation that what we see in the courts is a reflection of us as a people. Therefore I am making the conscious decision to mentor at least one at-risk youth at the Boys Training Centre. I implore you my friends, to attempt to do the same. It may not be at BTC or Upton Gardens, but the situation in the country is critical and I’m not prepared to lose it over baby criminals.”
Joseph, also known as “Pirate” and “Bird Eye” of Bagatelle, Castries is accused shooting Breedy multiple times. Relatives of the deceased reported that Breedy was killed as a result of a dispute over a female.
Joseph was charged for attempted murder and the use of a deadly weapon for the shooting of a man and woman in Faux A Chaud, Castries on August 23, 2015.
He was denied bail for his safety and that of the public, according to the magistrate.
The accused was remanded to prison and is expected to make another court appearance on October 30, 2015.’
Dave Joseph
A young man was killed in Roseau, quarter of Anse La Raye after 5:30 p.m. today, Saturday, Sept. 19 after receiving multiple stab wounds.
Residents said the deceased is from La Croix Maingot and the suspect is a young man from Millet.
Photos obtained by St. Lucia News Online show wounds to the victim’s feet and upper torso, including a deep wound to his chest area.
This is the 21st homicide for 2015.
More information soon.
* NOT ACTUAL DRUGS FOUND.
The Marine Unit has intercepted a vessel named “Choosen” with a quantity of cannabis and cocaine.
The drug bust was made on Saturday, September 19 at about 8:50 a.m. off the shores of Vieux Fort.
Four persons were on board the vessel including a Venezuelan national at the time of the drug bust.
The individuals are expected to be charged soon.
No further details are available at this time.
DEAD: Keran Edmund.
PRESS RELEASE – On Saturday, September 19, 2015 officers attached to the Anse La Raye Police Station responded to a report of a stabbing in Roseau, Anse La Raye.
Upon arrival, the officers discovered the body of 31 year old Keran Edmund of La Croix, Marigot lying on the ground with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds.
Edmund was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
A post mortem examination has been scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2015.
This is the twenty-first homicide for the year 2015.
The plain-clothes police officer (left) holds onto the suspect. The cop is holding the knife retrieved from the suspect.
A plain-clothes police officer received high praises this afternoon for catching a young male, after he snatched a chain off the neck of a woman in Castries and attempted to flee.
Reports are that the young male snatched the woman’s chain near Racaii Building on Jeremie Street, Castries and began to run, but he was pursued by the said officer who captured him.
With the assistance of another plain-clothes police, the young man was restrained and searched.
A knife was found in his possession. He was later taken to the station.
Murder accused Dave Joseph. Credit: HTS NewsForce.
Know Your Laws”. “Know you laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal St Lucia Police Force.
THREATENING WORDS AND GESTURES
According to section 543 and 544 of the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia 2008
A person who—
(a) utters to or at any other person any threatening words or gestures or behavior; or
(b) in any public way or public place, utters any threatening words to or concerning any other person,
is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000.
A person who by writing, threatens—
(a) another person with death or grievous harm;
(b) the commission of arson or any indictable offence under Part 1,
…, is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for 2 years.
This has been “Know Your Laws”. We at the Royal Saint Lucia Police force encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power.
A Castries resident is counting her loses after bandits broke into her Cedars Road, Castries apartment and stole a quantity of items, including beers and seasoned chicken from her fridge on Monday, September 21.
The woman, who asked not to be named, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that she is devastated by the recent burglary and feels unsafe for herself and five-year-old son who lives with her.
“I don’t feel safe. These fellas, whoever came and took my stuff it‘s like they put the stuff there. They came into my home and ransacked the entire house,” she said.
The 34-year-old woman discovered her apartment was broken into when she arrived home on Monday at around 5 p.m.
“They took my groceries, a television, clothes, jewelry, a laptop, beers…,” she explained.
According to her, the jewelry was the most expensive item stolen, which included six rings, chains and bands.
There was evidence of forced entry at the back door of the apartment and the burglar barriers that were built recently by her landlord were damaged in the process.
The woman said there have been previous break-ins in the area, but none of this magnitude.
She has been living in the Cedars apartment since 2001.
A report was made with the police and investigations are ongoing.
A Venezuelan national and a few others were caught by police with some 80,000 Euros in their possession.
The bust was made by the Marine Unit at around 11 p.m. Monday, September 21 off the shores of Vieux Fort.
A source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the vessel was leaving these shores, when they were caught.
It is believed that the individuals are linked to a recent drug bust where a vessel named “Choosen” was intercepted by the Marine Unit, with a quantity of cannabis and cocaine.
The drug bust was made on Saturday, September 19 at about 8:50 a.m. off the shores of Vieux Fort.
Four persons were on board the vessel including a Venezuelan national at the time of the drug bust.
The individuals for both incidents are expected to be charged soon.
President of SLPWA Camron Laure.
Members of the Police Welfare Association (PWA) are expected to meet shortly to discuss a number of issues, especially as it relates to the morale of officers within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
Topping the list of issues to be discussed are allegations that high-ranking police officers have plot to overthrow Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony and his St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration.
Head of the PWA Camron Laure called for proof of allegations made against members of the RSLPF, stating that evidence should be provided to support this “serious” allegation.
Senate President and talk show host Claudius Francis reportedly claims that the supposed scheme could be politically motivated.
Laure said officers somewhat feels threatened by the political directorate and noted that this issue must be addressed at the soonest possible time.
The PWA meeting will also seek to address the IMPACS report on alleged extrajudicial killings by some members of the RSLPF and the retirement of Police Commissioner Vernon Francois.
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