#TurksandCaicos, January 15, 2022  – Overnight, Police Officers responded to a number of burglary reports around Providenciales, which led to the significant arrest of two persons, on the morning of Friday, January 14, 2022.

Information was received, which led to Police intercepting a vehicle. The vehicle was stopped along the Leeward Highway, Providenciales. The occupants, two males, were arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Burglary after a number of suspected stolen items, weapons and masks were found in the vehicle.

In addition as part of our response to serious crime, in the early hours of this morning, Friday 14th January 2022, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Tactical Unit, supported by officers from Criminal Investigation, Patrol officers and the Royal Cayman Island Police Helicopter conducted operations in the Blue Hills area of Providenciales.

Armed officers secured, entered and searched five properties linked to criminal activity and four persons were detained for drugs and immigration offences. This was a significant operation involving a number of officers and the support from the Cayman Police Helicopter was integral in the safe delivery of this operation.

Superintendent Ball (Specialist Operations) who led the activity said, “This was an intelligence led, planned operation focused on tackling the most serious of criminality here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our teams are working tirelessly to keep the islands safe.”

Below is a summary of the overnight incidents.

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – GRACE BAY area At 00.30 hours Police responded to an aggravated burglary in the Grace Bay area where two males armed with knives entered a home by force and stole property from within.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARIES At 00.50 hours there were 2 attempted burglaries in Grace Bay, 2 persons were seen trying to gain entry but fled the scene.

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – LONG BAY HILLS, PROVIDENCIALES On Friday, January 14, 2022, Police Officers from the Response and Operations were dispatched to a home in the Long Bay Hills area of Providenciales, after an aggravated burglary was reported. The culprits who were armed with a knife and a cutlass fled the home after taking cash and a mobile device.

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – BLUE MOUNTAIN, PROVIDENCIALES – On Friday, January 14, 2022 at about 11:30am, Police Control room received a report of an aggravated burglary in the Blue Mountain area of Providenciales.

The culprits, who were armed with machetes, entered the home and demanded money, which was taken along with and electronic devices. No injuries were sustained.

AGGRAVATED BURGLARY – CHALK SOUND, PROVIDENCIALES – Officers were dispatched to an address in the Chalk Sound area of Providenciales on Friday, January 14, 2022 after a report of an aggravated burglary was made to the Police Control Room.

TWO MORE PROVIDENCIALES ROBBERIES

Additionally, Police Officers also responded to reports of Robberies which occurred at the First Caribbean Bank on Leeward Highway where an armed culprit took money from customers at the location. No injuries reported.

Officers also responded to Robbery report at a store along Leeward Highway, after three masked, armed men entered the store and demanded cash from persons inside the store. No injuries reported.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said ‘We understand the impact on our communities of the number of crimes being committed, particularly those targeting homes and those involving violence. I want to reassure our communities that the officers and staff remain wholly committed to dealing with this surge in crime and the operations undertaken last night, together with the very significant arrest of two men highlight the operational activity that is being undertaken on a very regular basis. The arrests were a team effort within the policing teams together with information from our community and we will be relentless in going after those who are causing most harm but we cannot do this alone. I would urge anyone with any information to share this directly with us or through Crime Stoppers; crime is everyone’s business and telling us what you know may be the difference.”

Commissioner Botting added, “‘In the last week I have met with the Governor, Premier and Deputy Premier to discuss the crime situation and I have reassured them that, despite the impact of COVID on our staff, the Force is working flat out to identify and arrest those responsible for the recent crime. There are also significant developments in the Force capability and capacity and I will be making a further statement early next week on crime and how the Force is combatting it and the developments in the Force. Finally, I thank you for your support for the men and women within the RTCIPF, a group of people that are working courageously and tirelessly to keep our communities safe’ Investigations are underway for these incidents. Anyone with information about these or other crimes can call 911 or Crime Stoppers privately at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence. All crimestopper calls are answered by Miami Dade Police and no one from the RTCIPF will know who called.”