Police Report

Man Jailed for Actual Bodily Harm

Elvon Connor of the Valley went to prison on Wednesday July 15 after appearing before the Magistrate charged with actual bodily harm.

Police confirmed that G R of Blowing Point reported to them that on Monday July 13 a young man from the Valley attacked him. The victim sustained injuries to his face. CID Inspector Emris Rogers said Police were carrying out investigations into the matter. He said they arrested Connor and charged him with actual bodily harm in that incident.

Business Man Targeted

Police revealed that a man was robbed at gunpoint outside Central Superette in the Valley. Rogers stated that N R, a business man of the Valley reported to Police Headquarters that, at about 10:30 pm on Thursday July 9, he and a friend were robbed at gunpoint by two masked men on the outside of his business place when they were locking up.

The robbers took a plastic sack of groceries and searched the victim’s pockets but he had no cash on him at the time. The report also indicated that the bandits ran off when they heard the sound of an approaching vehicle.

Police have not made any arrests in this matter yet and they are asking persons with any information regarding this robbery, or any other crime, to give the information to “any police officer of your choice.”

Road Checks Stepped Up as Promised

In the weeks leading to this year’s Anguilla Summer Festival, the Royal Anguilla Police Force Drugs and Firearm Unit has stood by its promise and stepped up road checks to combat targeted individuals.

Sergeant Brian Best told reporters that the targeted individuals “were suggested to be moving around with fire arms, drugs…offensive weapons in their vehicles.”

Best took the opportunity to extend gratitude to members of the public for continually furnishing the unit with information that leads to “positive steps by police.” He encouraged the continued response from members of the community.

Cannabis and Fake Gun Found

Over the past week, Police recovered five cannabis plants from the Long Ground area. The plants grew close to the landing strip at the Airport and were between four and five feet tall. Best could not give an estimate of the street value of the drug but said it was usually packaged into ‘dime bags,’ small bags that could be sold for 10 US dollars.

Over the past week, police also recovered an imitation firearm from the North Side area. Mr. Best stated that the area in North Side was particularly known to be a place that was largely used by some young men from that area to “congregate and cause problems” for persons moving in and out of North Side.

The Sergeant took the opportunity to let persons be aware that persons found carrying imitation firearms, under the law, run the risk of receiving the same penalty as carrying a real firearm. “The penalty, for the most part, is as harsh as being found with [a real gun],” he warned, “It can be viewed that, whatever the persons hope to accomplish carrying them, they can.”

Festival Crackdown

Leading up to the August festivities, the Magistrate’s Court in Anguilla has promised to crack down on persons coming before it who hope to make bail before carnival. Sergeant Best said there would be a certain stance from the Magistrate’s Court relative to persons with offences involving wounding and bodily harm. He said no bail would be afforded to these individuals for the period leading up to, during, and for some time after carnival “because it is known that there is a minority…who seem to be hell bent on causing havoc, causing chaos when it come to…all activities during carnival.”
Best stated that Police would do its part to keep activities leading up to and during carnival as incident free as possible.

Inspector Welcomes New Bill

Inspector Andy Arsenault of the Financial Intelligence and Investigation Unit stated that this week has been a very important one for “this small nation.” He was referring to the passing of the new Proceeds of Crime Bill and he personally congratulated the Government and people of Anguilla, especially those who worked “towards achieving a milestone piece of legislation.” Arsenault singled out the AG Chambers, the Financial Services Commission and the Bar Association for the roles they played in the process.

“I think what they have accomplished is something to be proud of,” the inspector said, “they have taken a giant step forward for this small country and put them on the international stage” He noted that the legislation was as good as he had seen “anywhere in the world.” He commented that it showed the world, especially those interested in the economic environment in Anguilla, that they were prepared to step forward and protect investors.

Arsenault remarked that now there was a regime that would combat money laundering and terrorist financing. He stated that Anguilla had joined the rest of the world in the fight against these crimes and “Anguilla ought to be proud.”

Eleven Crimes this Week

The Criminal Activities Blotter for the period July 8 to 15 show some 11 crimes reported including one attempted burglary in Long Bay and four actual burglaries in South Hill, Long Bay, Blowing Point, and Sandy Hill.

Items stolen included a weed eater, construction tools, garden tools, a water pump, two generators, DVD players, Nikon digital cameras, Dell computers, and Ipod, speakers, two diver regulators, 2x4 and 2x6 wood, a gold ring and other jewelry.

There were 5 theft reports from North Valley, Crocus Hill, Rey Hill, and Stoney Ground. Here the items stolen were a motor cycle, perfumes, and exercise bike and a Nintendo game.

There was one report of a robbery in the Valley and four traffic accidents.