Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal News

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 – Turks and Caicos Islands – In the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, 2025, a former police officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands was the victim of a terrifying robbery and kidnapping in the Dock Yard area, Eagle Legal News Media has learned.

Shortly after 3:00 a.m., the victim had just dropped off his girlfriend near Bible Street (Behind Mara) and returned to his vehicle when he was confronted by a lone, masked man armed with a firearm. The attacker, described as aggressive and agitated, demanded the victim’s wallet, phone, and other valuables. The victim, trying to remain calm, complied. His wallet reportedly contained over $1,000 in cash.

Despite giving up his belongings, the gunman continued to threaten him, demanding more money and pressing the firearm to the victim’s head and body. The victim described the ordeal as intense, saying he felt as if the bullets were already tearing through him due to the attacker’s inexplicable rage.

Although he considered using his police training to subdue the attacker, the victim noticed other men nearby observing the situation without intervening. Concerned for his life, he instead came up with a plan: he told the robber he could take him to an ATM to withdraw more cash.

“I felt like he was going to kill me for more money,” the victim said. “So I told him we could go to the ATM, even though I knew it was closed, just to get out of Dock Yard and buy myself a chance to survive.”

The assailant agreed, and the two drove to a nearby ATM, with the victim behind the wheel and the gunman keeping the firearm aimed at him the entire time, threatening him with violent language. When they arrived and found the ATM closed, the victim seized his moment.

“As soon as I stepped out of the car, I ran like Usain Bolt,” he recounted, “I tore through the bushes straight to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.”

There, he hid in the brush for a time before emerging to seek help. He contacted authorities from the hospital, where he was treated for minor cuts and bruises sustained during his escape.

Thankfully, he was not shot.

The former officer described his assailant as a male with a mixed Jamaican-Haitian accent who spoke fluent English. The man reportedly told him he was hungry and desperate for money.

He recalled the gunman saying, “If you don’t get me more money, I’ll kill you.”

The assailant fled the scene in the victim’s car, which was later recovered by police in Dock Yard. As of this report, no arrests have been made.

The victim contacted Eagle Legal News after seeing no official police report released about the incident.

Turks and Caicos, April 17, 2025 – A 16-year-old male from Blue Hills, Providenciales, has been officially charged with the following offences:

• Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of Ammunition

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) will not release the individual’s name or photograph because he is a minor.

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court next week.

Charges against the teen arose from an incident on Friday, April 4, 2025, shortly after 9:00 p.m.

Officers from the RT&CIPF Tactical Unit were on mobile patrol in the Blue Hills area and
observed a vehicle being driven suspiciously.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to comply and sped off to evade police. A short pursuit ensued, and officers successfully intercepted the car.

Two male occupants exited the car and fled on foot.  One suspect escaped, while the other—later identified as the 16-year-old—was apprehended.

During the arrest, officers recovered a pistol with an extended magazine from the suspect.

Turks and Caicos, April 11, 2025 – Swift and coordinated efforts by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force resulted in the arrest of two robbery suspects and the recovery of an illegal firearm.

On Friday April 4, at approximately 8:45 p.m., officers conducting routine patrols along Millennium Highway, Providenciales, were alerted to a robbery at a business establishment in the Blue Hills area.  Officers immediately responded to the scene where preliminary investigations revealed that around 8:40 p.m., two masked men entered the store.  One of the assailants was reportedly armed
with a firearm and proceeded to rob customers of cash and other valuables.

While patrolling, officers observed a car driving suspiciously.  A car chase followed, resulting in two male suspects exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

One suspect—a 16-year-old male from Blue Hills—was apprehended.  A search of his person led to the discovery of a firearm and ammunition.  A second male suspect was also detained at the scene.  Both suspects remain in police custody on suspicion of Robbery, Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of Ammunition.

The RT&CIPF continues to encourage members of the public to report any suspicious activity or information relating to illegal firearms and other crimes.  Individuals can contact the closest police station, call 911, reach the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to securely and anonymously share information.