Four Months for Illegal who tried to run away from TCI Law Enforcement

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, December 5, 2023 – Senior Traffic Police Inspector Mitchell, on the early morning hours of November 10th, 2023, put together a team of Immigration and police officers to carry out traffic stops and vehicle inspections at the First Caribbean Bank Roundabout. This operation commenced around 5:30 am; this operation led to an arrest which became confrontational.

HERCULE GACHETTE, 37 told the Court he only been in the Turks and Caicos Islands for four months as he pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and not guilty to malicious damage to government property.

The damage he allegedly caused was linked to “the clip” of the “body camera” worn by one of the arresting officers, who had given chase to Gachette when he tried to flee the multi-force check point.  His failed attempt at an escape led pursuing police through the Market Place commercial complex, which is on Leeward Highway, Providenciales. Gachette suffered an injured leg in the capture and was taken to hospital for treatment; he was released with one leg in a cast, signaling that the leg was likely broken.

Despite, the 37-year-old was sentenced to four months imprisonment for illegal entry, and Tassja Mitchell, senior public prosecutor withdrew the malicious damage to property charge.

The matter was heard on Monday November 27, 2023 via video link in the Providenciales’ Magistrate Court by acting Resident Magistrate, Patricia Arana, who was seated in the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court.