While the island had been relatively quiet in various respects over the past two weeks or so, Police in Anguilla reported on Wednesday that there was an increase in the number of burglaries in several locations.

L-R: Acting Inspector Emris Rogers, Deputy Commissioner Illidge Richardson and Inspector Paul Sinclair

Acting Inspector Emris Rogers, of the Criminal Investigation Department, said that on January 2 police responded to a burglary at Third World in The Valley. On arrival it was discovered that entry was gained into the business place by smashing a glass window with stones which were found inside.

The owner reported that a cash register was missing. Further checks of the area revealed that two other business places had been broken into. A cash register and tools suspected to have been used to break the stores were found in the nearby bushes.

On January 4 police responded to a burglary report at NICO’s Restaurant in The Valley. It was found that entry was made through an unsecured window. The owner reported missing half a dozen bottles of Heineken beer from the refrigerator, a cordless telephone and some cash.

There was also a burglary report at Luna Rosa Restaurant at Lower South Hill. Police found that the burglar had broken a portion of glass from a door which he/she unlocked, thereby gaining entry. The burglar then broke open a locked bedroom door on the upper floor and stole a laptop, a digital camera and a sum of cash.

In all, there were 15 crimes committed in Anguilla during the period January 1-7, which included seven burglaries. These occurred at South Hill, Stoney Ground, Meads Bay, Sandy Ground, The Valley and The Farrington. Items stolen, some of which were already mentioned, included a cordless phone, laptop, digital camera, alcoholic beverages, cash register, television set, mattress and cash. There was one attempted burglary at The Valley.

There were five thefts in the areas of Long Road, George Hill, Rendezvous and West End. Items stolen included a gold chain, CDs, a BlackBerry phone, construction tools, electric wire and cash.

There was one report of criminal trespass at North Side, where a vehicle was damaged.

Six persons were arrested during the period under review as follows: one male to prevent a breach of the peace, two males on suspicion of theft; one male for obstructing the police; one female for evading Customs Duties and one male for possession of cannabis.

Commenting on the increased burglaries on the island, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Illidge Richardson, advised all householders in Anguilla to guard against such crimes and to mark as many of their possessions as possible for easy identification when stolen.
In another matter, Inspector Paul Sinclair reported that the stealing of goats was becoming a big problem on the island. He stated that both the statistics and intelligence information were showing that this was the case. “We actually think, and we have good reasons to suspect, that it is becoming quite a lucrative business possibly for a small group of people who are organised and possibly shipping the goats to St. Martin,” he said.

“The Task Force responded to a report on New Year’s Eve that goats were being kept in a house under construction in the Welches area. When the premises were located, it was established that goats had most certainly been there prior to the arrival of the police. We suspect or believe that the people involved in the crime got wind of the fact that we were on the way and managed to remove the goats before we got there.”

He observed that apart from the stealing of the animals, the basement in which they were kept, possibly had a day-time temperature of almost 90 degrees. The Inspector said there was no ventilation and he strongly suspected that the police were informed more as a concern for the welfare of the animals.

Inspector Sinclair stated that the stealing of the goats was a lot more organised than was first thought and it was becoming a greater problem for the police, but that the theft of the animals from persons living on limited income, and relying on the animals, was being taken very seriously.

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