The house where the man was discovered dead.
A man in his 50’s was discovered dead this morning at Arundel Hill, Marchand, Castries.
Residents have identified him as ‘Norman’, only name given.
The man’s lifeless body was discovered around 9 a.m. by relatives.
It is not clear what led to his death, but police are on their way to the scene.
No further details available.
A police officer managed to capture one man who was transporting a large quantity of drugs, on Wednesday, close to Windjammer Gap in Trouya.
The incident is reported to have occurred around 11:36 a.m. Thursday.
A source told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the man was in the company of a few men, who were in a car.
“The guy was by the road waiting for the rest of the fellers with their vehicles,” the source said.
The source explained to SNO that the police decided to stop and investigate what was happening, since the men looked suspicious. He said upon stopping, the officer then proceeded to fire his gun three times.
“The rest of the guys in the car fled, but the one on foot could not escape,” the eyewitness told SNO.
Aside from the large bag that contained suspected drugs which the man was carrying, the police also recovered drugs that were hidden between some pieces of wood and a large barrel.
The man was handcuffed and taken to the police station for questioning. He is likely to be charged.
Investigations are ongoing.
One man has been arrested following a stabbing incident at Mary Ann Street, Castries around noon today (Thursday).
Reports are that a 19-year-old who frequents the area, had just exited a business place, when he was stabbed to his side by another male.
Passersby rushed to the aid of a young man, applying pressure to the wound, while awaiting ambulance services.
The man was later transported to the hospital via ambulance services.
A customer was injured at a La Clery convenience store on Wednesday, when he intervened in an armed robbery.
According to reports, two men entered the Goody’s Grocery Store close to Nicklette Hill at about 4:30 p.m. that day and ordered a drink.
While one of the men pulled out a $20 bill to pay the store attendant, who proceeded to open the cash register, the other bandit held her up at gun point, while the one who pretended to pay, emptied the cash register.
While attempting to flee the scene, the men came in to contact with the said customer, who is a resident of Nicklette Hill, and a scuffle ensued.
He was dealt several blows to the head and body, before the bandits fled the scene, making off with a total of $100.
The roller that was set ablaze on Friday.
The owner of one of the four vehicles that were set ablaze on Friday morning said he is convinced that the suspected arson was a sabotage aimed at construction company – CEO and Company Incorporated.
The owner of Mega Contracting Incorporated, who asked not to be named in the article, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the road roller that was destroyed in the fire belongs to his company.
The businessman said that vehicle was being rented to CEO and Company Incorporated, and was being used in Forestiere.
He believes that the company was the target but he ended up losing a vehicle.
“I think it was an act of sabotage to the other company. But the fact that my roller was in their possession, I am sure the person was not even aware that that wasn’t their roller. They probably thought that roller belonged to the other company too and they just included it in what they were trying to burn,” he said.
The business owner told SNO while his road roller is severely damaged, he still plans to check out the engine to determine whether it could be used again or not. However, if he has to replace the vehicle, it will cost him somewhere between EC $200-250,000.
SNO spoke with a senior fire official around noon Friday to get an update on the incident. The firefighter said the two teams that were dispatched this morning, are still at both scenes.
An eyewitness told SNO that cars were seen leaving both areas this morning.
SNO was unable to get an interview with CEO and Company Incorporated.
No arrests have been made so far.
One of the vehicles on fire this morning.
Four vehicles were damaged by fire in two separate communities early Friday morning.
Firefighters responded to one truck and a road roller on fire at Forestiere, around 3:10 a.m., and another report at Entrepot of two backhoes (mechanical excavators) on fire.
While both fires were extinguished, it had already caused major damages to the vehicles.
One fire official told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that all four vehicles belong to two construction companies, and both fires happened 15 minutes apart from each other.
“People in the area saw a white and black cars leaving the scene, respectively,” a source told SNO.
The Fire Service has launched an investigation into this latest incident.
A man sustained deep cuts to his face during a fight with another man in Castries on Friday.
The victim was allegedly teasing the man who attacked him with a glass bottle.
The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. close to the New CDC Buildings, Castries, police have confirmed.
A passerby said, “I would say it sounded like the injured guy was harassing the other. The guy who injured him normally washes buses, and the other one help out shop owners.”
The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment. It is not clear whether the other man was arrested.
Emanasa Ferdinand
A Sarrot man is currently nursing several injuries to his head and other parts of his body, after he was attacked by a group of 8 people with stones at around 4 a.m. Saturday.
Emanasa Ferdinand, alias Eman, 27, had just gotten off work and went home to change, to head to a spot called ‘Sandra,’ where there is usually a fete on the weekends, when he was attacked.
The man’s sister, Ella (only name given), told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Sunday that Ferdinand was attacked by five men and three women, who live in the same street as he.
“He was attacked with stones to the head and body. He was left for dead. He was transported to Victoria Hospital via the ambulance,” she explained.
Ella said her brother never got a chance to defend himself, and she is happy it happened that way, because he was outnumbered and his attackers didn’t stop until he quit moving.
“I guess they presumed he was dead,” she remarked.
Ferdinand suffered several lacerations to the head, two broken fingers, and torn tissues on his shoulder.
Asked if her brother had issues with anyone, Ella said he doesn’t, and she does not know what may have motivated the attack. However, she did admit that he had a past, but it’s been years since he has gotten himself in any trouble.
“He settled down with a nice girl, and is a great step-dad,” she said.
Ella told SNO that while Ferdinand is due to be discharged from hospital today (Sunday), he is still getting dizzy spells and his speech is a bit off sometimes.
He plans to press charges against the people who attacked him.
PRESS RELEASE – “Know Your Laws” is a production of the Press Office of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
PUBLIC INCITEMENT OF HATRED (CRIMINAL CODE OF SAINT LUCIA 2008)
(1) Anyone who, by communicating statements in any public place, incites hatred against any identifiable group where such incitement is likely to lead to a breach of the peace commits an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for 15 years.
(2) Anyone who, by communicating statements other than in private conversation, willfully promotes hatred against any identifiable group commits an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for 10 years.
(Identifiable group” means any section of the public distinguished by color, race, religion or ethnic origin)
(Statements includes words spoken or written or recorded electronically or electromagnetically or otherwise, and gestures, signs or other visible representations)
“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”.
DEAD: Nathan Chassang
PRESS RELEASE – On Monday, April 25, 2016 a post mortem examination was conducted on the body of 33 year old, Nathan Chassang also known as “Shawn” of Monchy, Gros-Islet.
The examination revealed that he died as a result of acute respiratory failure and acute pulmonary damage due to the ingestion of Paraquat (toxic chemical used as herbicide).
No foul play suspected in this matter.
British hotelier Oliver Gobat was shot dead in St Lucia ‘had received death threats’
BBC – The mother of a hotel owner shot dead in St Lucia has accused Surrey Police of “dragging their heels” over the murder investigation.
The burnt body of Oliver Gobat from Esher was found in a car on the Caribbean island in April 2014.
After a campaign by his parents, the Home Secretary agreed UK police could assist investigators in St Lucia.
Surrey Police said no Surrey officer had travelled to St Lucia but they had been liaising with investigators there.
Speaking to BBC Surrey,Oliver Gobat’s mother Helen said there were “people of interest” to interview in England.
“Seeking justice for him has been impossible – Ollie deserves a proper police investigation,” she said.
“We are desperately frustrated. It is a solvable crime.”
In September 2015 Surrey Police were given permission by Theresa May to help with the investigation.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: “Although no Surrey officer has travelled to the Caribbean island, St Lucian Police have been liaising with Surrey Police as part of their on-going investigation.
“As a matter of long-standing policy and practice, we neither confirm nor deny the existence of any mutual legal assistance requests.”
Oliver, known as Ollie, was born in St Lucia but grew up in Surrey where he played junior cricket at county level.
He and his two older brothers ran a five-star boutique hotel in an exclusive resort in St Lucia.
Davia Michelle Hypolite
A woman who was stabbed several times by her boyfriend in the back last week, has been released from hospital and is on the road to recovery.
Davia Michelle Hypolite, 19, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Wednesday that she was discharged from hospital on Monday, and while she still have some slight pain, she is doing much better.
Hypolite was initially taken to Victoria Hospital after being stabbed four times in the back by her boyfriend, but was later transferred to Tapion Hospital for further treatment.
Asked what her next step in life would be, Hypolite told SNO that she just have to put her bad experience behind her and get a fresh start in life, now that everything is over.
“I have to move on with my life, because if it was left up to him, I would be dead,” she said.
Hypolite said she will be returning to her job at a local restaurant soon, and she is just focused now on ensuring that her emotional scars are healed, before she can even think about getting into another relationship.
“I felt bad that he is dead, but what can I do, what can I say?” she added.
The Monchy woman claims she shared an abusive relationship with her now dead boyfriend, Nathan Chassang, who drank poison after he repeatedly stabbed her in the back on April 20.
Hypolite had told SNO that she was being abused from day one of the relationship and kept it a secret. And even when her relatives found out about the abuse, she denied it.
On the day of the stabbing, the woman had confronted Chassang about being constantly abused and asked that they go their separate ways, but he did not take this lightly, as he was not willing to let go of the relationship.
Hypolite pretended to be dead when she was stabbed, which led Chassang to ingest the poisonous substance.
Classes have been temporarily suspended at the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (V.F.C.S.S.) following the discovery of the body of a security guard.
Reports are that the man’s body was discovered by a caretaker and another security guard around 6 a.m. Wednesday, who called in the police to investigate.
The area where the body was found has since been cordoned off by investigators, and students who showed up for school today, were sent back home.
Investigations are ongoing.
* NOT actual person.
A female flight attendant with LIAT was on Tuesday arrested and held for questioning by the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) for a drug-related offense.
The Saint Lucia-born air hostess was allegedly found with cocaine in her possession at the Grantley Adams International Airport, after arriving on a flight from Saint Lucia on that same day.
A senior police official confirmed with St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Wednesday that the female is still in police custody in Barbados and is likely to face charges for the drug-related offense.
The police official said the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) was informed of the arrest and will be given details shortly. However, until such time they are unable to provide any information.
Regional news media have reported that Barbados’ Police Public Relations Officer, David Welch, also confirmed the arrest and said the female LIAT employee will inevitably face charges.
LIAT has also issued a statement confirming the incident, and said its management will give its full support for, and cooperation with, law enforcement authorities in relation to any investigations.
Earnest St. Omer
PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 a post mortem was conducted on the body of 38 year old, Earnest St. Omer of Barre Denis, Castries.
The examination revealed that he died as a result of hemorrhagic shock secondary to polytrauma (a medical term describing the condition of a person who has been subjected to multiple traumatic injuries).
Investigations continue into this matter.
Corporal Ted King
PRESS RELEASE – The Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police has bestowed a prestigious award upon a member of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
Corporal Ted King shall receive the award of Top Caribbean Community Police Officer. This award stems from the Association’s 2016 Regional Recognition Awards Programme.
King edged out Sergeant Dianne Dumont of Grenada (1st runner up) and Constable Odale Mulgrave of the Cayman Islands (2nd runner up) for the prestigious title. He is expected to travel to Suriname to collect his prize.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force through the Executive congratulates Corporal Ted King for his accomplishment and takes this opportunity to encourage the general membership to continue to perform at the highest of standards.
Hermangild Francis. Photo: UWP
Minister of National Security Victor La Corbiniere is being urged to provide a detail explanation as to what led to the sudden closure of the forensic lab at Tapion, before it is reopened.
United Workers Party (UWP) member, Hermangild Francis, made this remark during an appearance on News Maker Live with Timothy Poleon on Wednesday evening.
Francis said some of the things that happened at the forensic lab, should not have happened and it was an indictment on the part of Lacobiniere to say that he was unaware of what was taking place.
“An important department like the forensic lab, the minister should have had regular visits with the security at the facility to make sure that everything was in order,” he asserted.
The UWP member said the lab was compromised because drugs, particularly cocaine, were removed and replaced with flour at the testing facility.
“An investigation was due and was in progress. That has been completed and the minister is yet to tell the public of the investigation,” Francis opined.
The former Deputy Police Chief said the public should not only be made aware of the investigation, but the minister need to say whether anybody was responsible for the breach in protocol.
“We need to know what happened to employees there, whether anybody is under suspicion. Whether anyone is still employed and if these persons undertook polygraph tests before they were employed. All of these things need to be explained to the public before you even think of reopening the lab.”
Francis said following the closure of the forensic lab, 42 samples were sent for testing in Bermuda. This costed the government over $400,000. DNA and other samples are still being sent for testing overseas.
La Corbiniere had said Cabinet has taken some decisions with regards to the forensic lab, one of which is to allow an independent entity to run the operations.
The closure of the forensic lab has, however, affected the ability of the Police Force to move forward with a number of serious crimes, according to senior police officials.
The lab was reportedly short on material to conduct forensic tests, which initially caused operations to slow down at the facility. It was later shut down and remains closed for several months.
Dee Plummer
A female flight attendant with LIAT, who was arrested on Tuesday by the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF), has been officially charged with trafficking drugs.
Dee Plummer, 33, a Saint Lucia-born air hostess, was allegedly found with drugs in her possession at the Grantley Adams International Airport, after arriving on a flight from Saint Lucia on that same day.
On arriving in Barbados, Plumber was referred to Customs and a search revealed five kilos of cocaine in her handbag. A search warrant was later executed at her apartment and 1.3 grams of cannabis was discovered.
She was charged with: possession with intent to supply, trafficking and importation of cocaine.
A senior police official had confirmed with St. Lucia News Online (SNO) on Wednesday that the female was in police custody in Barbados, and is likely to face charges for the drug-related offense.
LIAT had also issued a statement confirming the incident, and said its management will give its full support for, and cooperation with, law enforcement authorities in relation to any investigations.
PRESS RELEASE – Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 58 year old, Paul Jeremy also known as “yellow man” of Pierrot, Vieux Fort.
On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 about 6:00 a.m. Jeremy, a security guard was discovered unresponsive in a classroom of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School located in La Resource, Vieux Fort.
He was transported to the St Jude Hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
A post mortem examination has been scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2016.
Handcuffed Prisoner
Close to two months after police had issued an appeal for the suspect in the La Croix shooting to turn himself in, law enforcement officials captured him on Thursday.
Reports are that Cletus Mitchell, who police said was considered armed and dangerous, was arrested at a bar at La Ressource, Vieux Fort, and did not put up any resistance.
Mitchell was wanted by police in connection with the shooting death of his older brother, Sebastien Mitchell, 42, who was shot at La Croix Maingot on Saturday, March 5.
The murder accused is likely to be charged soon.
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