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POLICE OPERATION utilizes NEW Stop and Search laws

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, February 27, 2023 – The Royal TCI Police Force has for the first time exercised their newly conferred stop and search laws which allow them to search any person on the islands without a warrant.

In a press release early Sunday morning they indicated that the powers had been called upon at the Versace nightclub in Providenciales.

Eyewitness reports describe the police swooping into the club around 12 am Saturday morning  in significant numbers and several residents being escorted from the club; their cars being searched thoroughly and at least one being arrested.

The operation, about which details came straight from Trevor Botting, TCI Police Commissioner was rolled out to ‘prevent serious crime and detect those people who may be involved.’

Police say they were informed people with possible criminal connections were at the club and shared photos of at least one person being led away in handcuffs.  The ‘stop and search’ law (section 36 A(1)(a) of the Police Force (Amended) Ordinance 2022) gives the Commissioner power to authorize officers to frisk residents in anticipation of violence, should he suspect it is necessary.

It allows an officer to ‘stop any person or vehicle and make any search he thinks fit whether or not he has any grounds for suspecting that the person or vehicle is carrying weapons or articles of that kind’.

The operation was headed by the country’s newest superintendent Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden, who said in that statement:

“Events of this nature have in the past resulted in incidents of serious violent crime. This policing operation was particularly aimed at preventing and disrupting such incidents.”

Police have not indicated that they made any significant finds or arrests during the operation barring a quantity of marijuana.

Reactions to the operation were varied with some residents denouncing it and others applauding it.

Caribbean News

Man turns himself into Police in Bloodied Foot hit and run

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – A man is in custody regarding the Wednesday May 17th vehicular accident  in Grand Turk that left a young man with serious injuries to his feet. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, in responding to Magnetic Media questions, say the suspect turned himself in that same day.

The 34 year old suspect, who police did not name in their communication to our news team, arrived at the Grand Turk Police Station around 7:27 am Wednesday morning and told officers on duty that he had hit a pedestrian while driving along Orea Alley, Grand Turk.

He was taken into custody by police on suspicion of Dangerous Driving.

The 23 year old victim, also unnamed by police but identified to us at Vaughn Garland, had to be rushed to hospital by another driver who was passing by. Police confirm what cell phone video of the young man showed, than he turned up at hospital with a seriously damaged right foot.

In response from who appeared to be a medic, the young man said he was riding his bike and a car struck him, catching his foot which at the time was bleeding profusely.  The victim was carted into the hospital in a wheel chair.

In the video, he could be heard hollering in pain.

Medical staff at the Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk in realizing the extent of his injuries decided the patient, would be best stationed, for care, at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales.

The young man was medically evacuated to Provo and there have been no updates on his condition up to news production time but the suspect had remained in custody.

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Caribbean News

Premier decries graveyard vandalism; Police now investigating grave robberies 

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – After multiple grisly discoveries of desecrated graves in Providenciales the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force say they are now investigating the disturbances. It comes days after Premier Washington Misick expressed his intense displeasure with the actions.

“I’d like to express my outrage and disgust that in this country today even the dead are not sacred. I can guarantee the people of this country that every effort will be made to investigate.”

In a short update on Friday the RTCIPF indicated they were aware of the incidents and the Environmental Health Department had made a report to them.

The report follows two separate incidents over two weeks where perpetrators went to great lengths to break open graves in the Five Cays Cemetery, shattering thick concrete slabs to snatch at the bodies which are resting inside.

On May 11th reports emerged of a grave that had been fully dug up and the coffin broken into and left in the sweltering sun for authorities to find. It took four men, only two in protective gear to replace the coffin. Then again on Mother’s Day, May 14th more reports and evidence of other disturbances were reported.

Unconfirmed reports of bodily mutilation were shared by residents on scene of the first incident as well. Residents expressed distress and disgust at the bizarre and invasive behavior.

The government has promised security will be increased with lights placed around the cemeteries and police say their investigation continues.

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Caribbean News

Two Counts of  Handling Stolen Goods

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#TurksandCaicos, May 23, 2023 – Fifty-one year old Neil Howard Rigby has been charged with TWO COUNTS of HANDLNG STOLEN GOODS.

 Mr. Rigby of  Granny Hill, Five Cays, Providenciales, was granted bail in the sum of  $20,000.00.

Based on  information received, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force officers executed a search warrant on May 17th , 2023, at a premises on  Granny Hill .

During the search, RTCIPF officers recovered a numer of items incuding tools, which were  reported stolen.

An investigation was launched and Mr. Rigby was arrested and subsequently charged.

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