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Crime

Crime Wave just as bad as COVID wave, Residents demanding action

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, January 19, 2022 – “We need to take action against this crime immediately!” Was the call from one TCI resident over the weekend shared via social media and he is not alone. The consensus is that crime in the country seems out of control.

Residents are sharing their experiences and expressing frustration that no one official is facing the public during what is a doubly hard season; a spike in COVID which had the TCI inching ever so close to 1000 active cases and crime sprees where criminals are hitting multiple spots per night and there is a return of home invasions.

“Six armed men came here and robbed the store. They also robbed the Rooster Black next door and the Laundromat next door,” explained the man, a customer at one of the stores hit by a late afternoon heist on Saturday January 15.

The young man was making the comment to a cell phone camera, expressing his shock at the stream of crimes.  That video was later shared and it spread like wildfire on the weekend.

Another resident voiced a friend’s harrowing experience in a social media voice note.

“Four guys [went] inside the house with masks and everything and the pointed guns at [her] mommy, her husband and all the family. They took all the phones, the computers, everything.”

There is an air of fear as violent incidents, robberies and home invasions rise amidst weak communications from the Royal TCI Police Force.

The Force eventually confirmed there were at least five home invasions in the Turks and Caicos between Thursday January 13 and Friday January 14 alone.

So far two suspects have been arrested Lorenzo Caesar, aged 36, and Stevenson Morris, aged 46 have been charged with aggravated burglary in connection with at least one of the robberies on Thursday. A teen, only 17 years old was also held with a firearm and ammunition over the weekend, after reportedly “shooting up at the club”.

Still residents are not convinced of their safety and confidence in the Police is on shaky ground, yet again.

As residents grappled with the report of such a young gun crime perpetrator, there came word of two people being fired upon on Sunday in Five Cays.  Both were rushed to hospital.  There has been no statement on the alleged ambush from authorities; but it seems both survived the hail of bullets.

In another public opinion, it said most concerning was that more dangerous gun wielding criminals were not being apprehended. The individual noted on social media that cutlass and machete using criminals were the “least of [the TCI’s] concerns when gunmen were on the loose”

It has been nearly a month since Premier Washington Misick promised to address crime in the New Year and two weeks since his National Security Council (NSC) meeting which he promised would be followed by a statement on crime.

In the past month, there have been four murders, at least three shootings and numerous armed burglaries of businesses, homes and individuals.

As the list of incidents grows longer there is no guidance, condemnation for the brutal acts or general updates forthcoming from the NSC, Police, Governor or the elected Government.

 

Crime

RTCIPF – Unidentified Male Shot

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

#TurksandCaicos, March 18, 2024 – A shooting incident has resulted in a fatality, with officers of the Serious Crime Unit currently at the scene.

Preliminary reports state around 9:17 pm today (March 18th), a call was placed to the Police Control Room indicating a male was shot at a location in Five Cays, Providenciales.

Officers arrived at the scene and found the lifeless body of a male with what appeared to be gunshot wounds.The victim was wearing long blue pants and a black t-shirt.

Further details surrounding the incident, including motive and the victim’s identity, are under investigation.

The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on this murder.

Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information.

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Crime

TCI Police make ARREST following Kew Town Drive By shooting, one woman hit

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Deandrea Hamilton
Editor

Police on Wednesday night confirmed a shooting earlier in the day in Kew Town, Providenciales; saying they were alerted at 2:17pm about gunfire on Black Crow Road.  A resident of Kew Town, according to the statement, sought medical treatment and that woman is described as a 57-year-old ‘hit by a stray bullet.’

Following the ‘drive-by’ in Kew Town, Officers were given a description of the car shooters used to spray the area with bullets. And what followed was a coordinated response leading to the arrest of a 21 year old and a 28 year old; both men are residents of Five Cays.

Dean Holden, Police Superintendent said the arrest, which played out in plain view of bystanders on front road in Blue Hills is proof, say Police, that community safety is a priority and violence of this kind will not be tolerated.

The arrest, around 3pm, of the Five Cays men followed a shocking murder at Wymara resort around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday March 5, where three staff members were struck in a hail of bullets; one man – a 22 year old – appeared to be a target and was murdered on the scene.

The other two people injured in the incident were said to be “innocents”, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

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Crime

Robberies under investigation

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#TurksandCaicos, March 12, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit are actively investigating three robberies in Providenciales.

Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden said, “Around 10:02 a.m. today, our Police Control Room received reports of a robbery at a business establishment along Millennium Highway.

“Officers arrived at the scene and commenced an immediate search of the area to locate three armed men who had robbed a female victim. The RTCIPF is aware of video footage circulating about the incident, and we are asking anyone with information who may have been in the vicinity to contact us.

“At 2:45 am on Friday, a male victim reported he was robbed at gunpoint near Dock Yard by five men, while a female victim reported on Sunday that she was robbed at gunpoint. I am deeply concerned about the recent armed robberies. Law-abiding individuals’ safety and security are of the utmost importance, and addressing this issue is our top priority.

“To tackle this challenge, we are intensifying our efforts on multiple fronts. Our police force will increase patrols and continue to monitor suspicious activities. Collaboration with local businesses and community members is crucial.

“We urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior promptly. Our commitment to justice is unwavering. I appeal to the public to prioritize your safety by staying informed and taking necessary precautions. Together, we can overcome this challenge and ensure our community remains safe for all.”

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