Burglary

Bandits burrowed their way into Courts St. Lucia Chaussee Road, Castries branch and carted off with an undisclosed number of laptop computers, televisions and electronic games.

The bandits – the exact number if uncertain – twisted the metal bars before smashing the glass of the store facing Morne Du Don road, sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

The bandits then hauled out several pieces of expensive gadgets and electrical items before escaping.

It is not yet clear how much loses the store has incurred.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Superintendent of Police Severin Moncherry has been appointed Commissioner of Police.

Moncherry takes over from Acting Police Commissioner Errol Alexander, effective April 1, 2016.

The appointment letter,dated March 14, 2016, from Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, states that Moncherry’s appointment will include six months probation.

Alexander, who is reaching retirement age, and Vern Guard, the current director of Corrections, were reportedly the front-runners for the top cop position.

However, their applications were reportedly rejected by the Police Service Commission and the post re-advertised after a senior cop challenged the application process through the courts.

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Police have intercepted a boat containing a large quantity of marijuana in Dennery.

St. Lucia News Online (SNO) has confirmed with police that the operation took place around 7 p.m. Saturday.

Reports are that some 120 pounds of marijuana was found stashed in the boat. It is alleged that the boat belongs to a former prison officer, who resides in the Dennery Valley.

When the officers arrived at the scene, the men who were reportedly in the boat, had already fled the area.

The boat and drugs are now in police custody.

Investigations are ongoing.

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PRESS RELEASE – A person who, in order that he or she may qualify to vote at any public election, makes, signs, publishes, or uses—

(a) any declaration, statement or oath required by law in such cases; or

(b) any certificate or testimonial as to his or her conduct or services, or as to any other matter which is material for his or her qualification to vote at such election,

if he or she does so knowing that such declaration, statement, oath, certificate, or testimonial is false in any material particular is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 2 years.

337. FALSIFYING, DAMAGING OR DESTROYING VOTING PAPER OR THING USED AT ELECTION

A person who—

(a) forges or falsifies;

(b) intentionally or recklessly damages or destroys any voting paper or other similar thing;

(c) intentionally or recklessly damages or destroys any ballot box, polling booth ,or other thing used for the purposes of a public election,

is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 7 years.

“We, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force would like to encourage the citizenry to read and study the laws which governs our society. Never forget that knowledge is power”.

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A woman is accused of allegedly attacking a 10-year-old female student of the Delcer Primary School for reporting to the school principal, that she was bullied by her 8-year-old son.

The victim’s mother, Leona Jn Baptiste, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Tuesday that her daughter was allegedly attacked by the female parent while on her way to school on March 8, 2016.

Jn Baptiste said she became upset after her daughter went home with a swollen arm from the incident.

According to her, the woman allegedly “roughed up my daughter” and the swelling has still not reduced.

“As we speak, the child can’t use her left hand. She is using her right hand because it is still paining her and she is very uncomfortable,” Jn Baptiste told SNO.

Besides this, the child’s mother said this is not the first time the male student has bullied someone, and having attended a meeting with his mother, she came to the realization that his mother appears to condone his behaviour.

“He would wine up behind the little girls and tell them that he would rape and kill them,” she alleged.

The mother said these are not things a child, especially at that age, should be doing or saying.

She said she reported the matter to the Choiseul Police Station, who referred her to the Vulnerable Persons Unit at Vieux Fort, and an officer is currently looking at the case.

The upset woman said a mother should never encourage her child to beat up other children, and parents should not be allowed to treat people’s children in any kind of manner.

Jn Baptiste said she wants this to serve as a lesson to other parents to guide their children in the right way.

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Two men have been arrested after a body was discovered buried in bushes in Babonneau.

Police officials have said the body of Dean Edward, was found buried near his home at Plateau, Babonneau.

A relative told the media that one of the men arrested, had issued death threats against Edward.

“He said he and my relative had a problem and he would kill him, because he does take his things and go with them,” the relative said.

Reports are that the men led the police to the place where the body was buried.

Investigations are ongoing.

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PRESS RELEASE – Police is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Dean Monlouis of La Guerre, Babonneau, said to be in his early twenties.

His body was discovered in a shallow grave in Plateau by Babonneau Police on the morning of Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Two suspects are currently assisting Police in relation to this incident.

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A middle-aged woman escaped being the island’s latest rape victim today (March 25).

Reports are that the woman was saved by a “Good Samaritan” after a man, believed to be in his 20s from the community of Jetrine, tried to rape her in Saltibus.

“The person responsible for the attempted rape is currently tied in the back of a flat van, waiting for the police,” a source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) at the time.

“He (the accused) was seen by other civilians. He was caught, beaten and tied as they called police who took him into custody,” another source added.

The accused has since been taken into custody at the Laborie Police Station.

An eyewitness said she saw blood on the woman’s face and she was saying “he tried to rape me”.

One of several persons who attempted to take photos of the captured man, told SNO that the accused allegedly threatened them.

“I was not able to get photos. He kept telling people he will kill them. A Rasta gave him two hard slaps and he said he would kill him. I am hoping someone circulate pics on Facebook,” the source said.

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Police are investigating a kidnapping and rape incident that occurred earlier this week.

Reports are that around 10 p.m. last Wednesday, a male and female were sitting in their vehicle in the vicinity of the Vieux Fort mall when two armed men confronted them and forced the man, who was the driver, to transport them to Castries.

On reaching Castries, the driver was tied up and placed in the trunk. The vehicle was driven to a secluded area where the female was raped.

The bandits then escaped.

The female helped remove her male companion from the trunk and a report was later made to the police.

A similar incident occurred on March 12, 2016 in which 53-year-old ServiTech technician Francis Cyrillien was murdered at the Bois Shadon Beach, Vieux Fort, after was he kidnapped along with his female companion.

Cyrillien and the female were reportedly abducted by two masked men around 4 p.m. Saturday, March 12 police said. The duo were at the beach when two men attacked them and forced them into a vehicle which Cyrillien was driving.

A police official said the woman related that the perpetrators forced the deceased to drive in a wooded area, where they were both tied up. The men then proceeded to attack the helpless man.

Cyrillien sustained severe chop wounds to his head and other parts of his body. The Court’s St. Lucia employee’s hands were almost severed. The two men also assaulted the female and forced her to strip naked, before escaping.

Despite earlier reports that the woman was raped, this has not been confirmed.

It took four hours before the woman was able to reportedly free herself and once she did, she ran towards the closest street and waved at traffic for help. But persons refused to assist her because she was naked.

However, one good Samaritan finally stopped and gave a t-shirt to her and took her to the Vieux Fort Police Station, where she related to the police what had happened.

The woman told police that Cyrillien appeared dead and she decided to leave him behind.

She assisted the police back to the crime scene, where the La Guerre, Babonneau resident was found lying face up with his hands tied at his back. He was later pronounced dead by a doctor.

The vehicle which the perpetrators took from Cyrillien was recovered in Babonneau the following day.

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Gros Islet R.C Church

The Gros Islet Roman Catholic (R.C) Church was robbed of a quantity of items, between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

Reports are that the thieves took food hampers that were put together by the church and were expected to be distributed to poor families.

In addition to that, the thieves also took off with an undisclosed sum of cash and a refrigerator.

The church is currently building a chain link fence and plans to place a metal gate at the entrance. They also plan to install security cameras.

Police are investigating this incident.

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Bandits broke into the Haze Pub located at Jeremie Street, Castries sometime between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, and carted off with a number of valuable items.

The bandits forced their way through a back door and left with an undisclosed sum of cash, a large quantity of liquor and a 55 inch plasma television set.

The television set is said to be the largest among when compared to other pubs located beneath the CDC building, and served as a main attraction for customers.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigation has been launched.

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Charged: Janelle Mariate

EDITOR’S NOTE: The woman charged in this incident was reportedly born in Saint Lucia (from Mon Repos), but holds French nationality.

CRAWLEY NEWS – A woman has appeared in court charged with attempting to smuggle £100,000 worth of cocaine through Gatwick Airport in tins of hot chocolate.

Border force officers at Gatwick found approximately 1.2 kilos of the Class A drug inside tins, which were hidden inside a suitcase, earlier this week.

The tins containing the drugs were intercepted on Monday (March 21) within a suitcase in the South Terminal. The luggage had arrived on a flight from St Lucia.

Forensic tests are yet to be carried out to assess the purity, but it is likely the cocaine would have had a potential street value in excess of £100,000 once cut and adulterated.

The case was passed to the National Crime Agency for further investigation and Janelle Nicole Mariate, 21, a French national from Martinique, was charged with importing a Class A drug.

She appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday 22 March and was remanded in custody until April 26.

Sue Young, Director of Border Force South, said: “In making this seizure, Border Force officers at Gatwick have taken dangerous Class A drugs out of circulation.

“Our officers are on the front-line of the fight to stop drugs, weapons, contraband and illegal immigrants entering the UK. Using detection dogs and the very latest technology, they are on constant alert to protect the country.”

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

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Like many of you, especially our women, I feel a deep sense of outrage, revulsion and anger about the recent spate of rapes in our country. Rape is a brutal act of violence.

I so wish I could find the right words to comfort the victims, their families and friends.

It is true that there have been many incidents of rape in the past, many of which have never been reported, but why is it that some men have suddenly felt emboldened to commit these crimes in recent times?

It is clear that strong laws with stiff penalties are not enough. We have to look for other solutions.

We need to look seriously at the suggestion that a “Sex Offenders List” be created. In that regard, we must look at the experience of other countries that have moved in that direction.

We need to review how rapes are evidenced in court. It is not right that a victim of rape has to undergo such trauma in giving evidence before a judge and jury. Giving evidence is a dehumanizing and traumatic experience. Should rape cases be heard before a jury?

Men must be made to understand, that “no means no”; “silence also means no”.

For my part, I will ensure that the Police Force implement my suggestion that a dedicated unit be established within the Police Force to investigate rapes and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous acts.

I am sure you have other suggestions. Some champion the need for self-defence classes; others want to legalize the use of pepper spray.

This is not a “red” or “yellow” issue. It touches all of us and so we must express our collective outrage in one voice.

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A man using a wheelchair was reportedly killed when he was struck by a mini bus on Millenium Highway.

The man, who is said to frequent the busy thoroughfare, was reportedly struck while on his way to Castries.

More to come on this breaking item.

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*Photo credit: www.bentekrealty.com

PRESS RELEASE – The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force will be hosting its’ “Meet The Commissioner” town hall meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 6: 30 p.m. in Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet.

The meeting will take place at the Grand Riviere Primary School.

All residents of Grand Riviere, Gros-Islet and environs are invited to this meeting where they will have the opportunity to meet the Acting Police Commissioner Errol Alexander, as well as his soon to be successor, Acting Deputy Commissioner Severin Moncherry.

The “Meet The Commissioner” town hall meeting is a community policing initiative where citizens have the opportunity to voice their concerns and suggestions about crime and policing in their respective communities.

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Derrick Eugene

PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating a fatal accident which occurred on Monday, March 29, 2016 about 7:55 p.m. on the Millennium Highway, Castries.

Motor omnibus registration number TX 361, driven by Egbert Nelson of Sunny Acres, Castries was travelling in a northern direction when it collided with Derrick Eugene of Ciceron, Castries.

At the time of the accident, Eugene was wheelchair bound and travelling in the opposite direction.

Eugene was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

This is the third fatal accident for 2016.

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The picture shows the boutique before and after the burglary.

A boutique located opposite Courts on Chaussee Road, Castries has been forced to close its doors, after it was robbed of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

MI Fashion owner, Daniel Lester, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Tuesday that one of the tenants in the building where his business is located, discovered that his boutique was broken into this morning.

Lester said the tenant alerted his sister, who called the police and went straight to the business premises to check for herself, if anything was taken from the boutique.

Upon arriving there, his sister recognized that the bandits had cut through a burglary bar at the back of the building, facing the SDA Church and Courts, to gain entry into the business.

The boutique was completely cleaned of clothing, shoes and accessories worth over $15,000.

Lester said while he opened the establishment in October 2014 and there was a small break-in, a few months after opening, the bandits only managed to take a few pieces of clothing and a radio.

However, the businessman said he has no choice but to permanently close his shop, because nothing is left to remain opened.

Police have still not arrived at the business place to conduct their investigations.

Two weeks prior to that, bandits broke into Courts Chaussee Road, Castries branch and carted off with an undisclosed number of laptop computers, televisions and electronic games.

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Moncherry

Incoming Commissioner of Police, Severin Moncherry, has warned citizens against vigilante justice, emphasizing that such acts are just as illegal and repugnant as any other crime.

Moncherry’s comments comes in light of a recent incident involving two men who was beaten by a group, after they were accused of allegedly attempting to rape a woman in Saltibus.

The police official reminded citizens that it is not right for them to take matters in their own hands.

He said that he would like to discourage such behavior, as people will be held responsible for their action.

Touching on the perceived slow pace of justice, Moncherry said there is nothing that the Force can do to expedite ongoing criminal cases after it has been placed with the judicial system.

Former Police Commissioner Vernon Francois had also warned citizens against this act, stating there is a due process in every matter and that must be followed regardless of the circumstances.

There have been a few incidents of vigilante justice in Saint Lucia over the past years.

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The police plans to set up and introduce very soon, a team that will deal specifically with the increase number of rapes that have been occurring on the island, over the past weeks.

This announcement was made by incoming Police Commissioner, Severin Moncherry, who along with other senior police officials, held discussions with residents in Grande Riviere, Gros Islet on Wednesday.

Moncherry said members of this special team will be responsible for reviewing all rape cases. They will be tasked with looking at various patterns, which will assist in their surveillance.

Special patrols will be put in place aimed at detection and prevention, especially in the North of the island. The police also plan to have surveillance using modern technology in all parts of the island.

Moncherry said the team will hopefully help reduce the cases of rape and bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure that women in Saint Lucia feel safe again.

The police will hold meetings with the Department of Human Services, the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, Red Cross, the Christian Council and other non-government organizations to discuss the initiative.

The increased number of rapes over the past few weeks has taken the country by storm and has caused many persons, particularly women, to become somewhat fearful that they might become a victim.

A special forum is slated to take place Thursday at the Mental Wellness Centre, where men from all walks of life, will come together to discuss what can be done to stem the issue.

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A Babonneau man was rushed to hospital this morning after a suspected suicide attempt.

The incident occurred at La Guerre, Babonneau.

Reports are that the unknown man allegedly consumed a poisonous substance.

This incident occurred two days ahead of a planned fasting and prayer organized for the community.

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