Crime
On the Run for 14 years, Man fined and sentenced
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, June 5, 2023 – A Creole-speaking Haitian man who eluded law enforcement authorities for the past 14 years, up until his apprehension, has now been sent to prison. He was found hiding in the closet of an apartment behind ‘Mara’, in Blue Hills, Providenciales, on May 02nd 2023.
Magnetic Media can confirm the man is identified as the third person, Alex Leandre who was in the apartment’s closet hiding from Immigration authorities when they came to conduct a search for illegal migrants.
The Public Prosecutor in court on May 31, 2023 told the Hon. Chief Magistrate Hatmin that the accused came into the Turks and Caicos and was given seven days to remain. He arrived through the Providenciales International Airport in 2009.
After his seven days were concluded, by law, the man became irregular yet he skillfully avoided authorities up until his arrest on May 2, 2023.
Leandre was represented by Finbar Grant who begged the court for leniency on his client’s behalf in an attempt to have him immediately deported without jail time.
The Hon Magistrate Hatmin was very concerned of the length of time this man was able to cunningly stay under the radar from authorities without capture.
Ultimately, ALEX LEANDRE was sentenced to nine months imprisonment with a fine of $4.000.00 , which he was expected to pay forthwith.
Crime
“Life in Prison for setting fire” as Wheeland Residents say fire bomb tossed into residence Monday night
Wilkie Arthur and Deandrea Hamilton
Turks and Caicos, September 13, 2024 – TCI Police are not saying how the fire was set, but they do confirm a fire was intentionally set and witnesses speaking to Eagle Legal News Media report that it was thrown into a Wheeland house where it landed in the living room and exploded.
“…it is alleged criminals sent fire bomb (s) through a home, but thankfully no one was in the living room area where it landed and an explosion was heard loudly, no one was hurt or injured,” reported Wilkie Arthur of Eagle Legal on the night of the horrifying incident.
The Police report explains: Shortly after 8 p.m. yesterday (September 9), officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force
responded to a fire report at a dwelling in Wheeland, Blue Hills, Providenciales. Upon arrival at the scene, police officers and firefighters saw a structure in flames.
All efforts to contain the fire were successful. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Based on initial reports, the fire appears to have been deliberately set.
The RTCIPF wishes to remind the public that under the Malicious Injuries to Property Ordinance Chapter 3.11, Section 4, “Setting fire to a dwelling-house with any person being therein Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously set fire to any dwelling house, any person being therein, commits an offence, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to imprisonment for life.”
Fire Trucks and Police were summoned to the scene on Monday night. Images of the response are shared by Eagle Legal.
Meanwhile, the RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 8477 to provide any information anonymously.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, 10th September 2024 – Shortly after 8 p.m. yesterday (September 9), officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force responded to a fire report at a dwelling in Wheeland, Blue Hills, Providenciales.
Upon arrival at the scene, police officers and firefighters saw a structure in flames.
All efforts to contain the fire were successful. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Based on initial reports, the fire appears to have been deliberately set.
The RTCIPF wishes to remind the public that under the Malicious Injuries to Property Ordinance Chapter 3.11, Section 4, “Setting fire to a dwelling-house with any person being therein Whosoever shall unlawfully and maliciously set fire to any dwelling house, any person being therein, commits an offence, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to imprisonment for life.”
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide any information anonymously.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
Photo by Eagle Legal News Media
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