Rider Hurt After Reported Serious Two Vehicle Collision in Sandys Parish
Thu, 2023-03-09
Around 3:36pm on Thursday 9th March 2023, police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a serious two vehicle collision on Somerset Road at the junction with West Side Road, Sandys.
Initial information suggests that a man traveling east on a motorcycle attempted to overtake a truck also headed east, when he collided with a motorcar headed in the opposite direction.
The man was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment of possible head injuries. The man driving the motorcar was not reported to be injured.
Traffic was being diverted at Sound View Road and Bob’s Valley Road, whilst police processed the scene.
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call Acting Sgt. Justina Watson on 211 or email jwatson@bps.bm.
Read MoreRobbery Witness Appeal
Thu, 2023-03-09
Police are seeking two male suspects in connection with a robbery which occurred at the Champs Variety Store, 44 Cambridge Road Sandys.
The suspects, one armed with a knife, the other, a baseball bat, entered the store around 10:57 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 and demanded the two female staff hand over cash.
The suspects were able to remove an unknown quantity of cash from the registers.
One suspect is described as heavy-set, walked with a limp and approximately 5’ 8” in height. He wore a black helmet with a dark visor, grey rain type jacket, black pants, black gloves and carried a baseball bat.
The second suspect was described as slim built and 5’ 6’’ in height. He wore a black and white helmet with a visor and a scarf wrapped around the lower part of his face. He also wore black gloves and was armed with what appeared to be a kitchen knife.
The suspects fled the scene on a white motorcycle, license plate number CF587, riding east on Somerset Road.
Anyone with information on this incident or who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area of Champs Variety Store in Sandys, shortly before or, just after 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023, is asked to contact Detective Constable, Malcolm Dill, on 717-2017 or via email, mdill@bps.bm.
You may also call the main police number, 295-0011, the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477 or, share the information with a police officer you know.
Two Taken to Hospital After Three Vehicle Collision on Palmetto Road
Thu, 2023-03-09
Around 3:50pm Wednesday, 8th March 2023, a collision occurred on Palmetto Road in Pembroke, near the junction with Bishop Spencer Road.
Police, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service as well as ambulance personnel responded.
It is now confirmed that three vehicles were involved – two cars and a 50cc scooter.
It appears that one of the cars was being driven east along Palmetto Road and the other car was being driven in the opposite direction, when the westbound car drifted into the eastbound lane.
The 50cc scooter rider travelling behind the eastbound car then struck the back of that car.
The female driver of the westbound car was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for medical assessment.
The rider of the 50cc scooter, said to be a 16-year-old Hamilton parish girl, was also transported to hospital via ambulance for treatment. It is understood that she sustained injuries to her hands, legs and abdomen.
Apparently the driver of the eastbound car, said to be a 50-year-old St. George’s woman, was not hurt.
Traffic diversions were in effect at Frog Lane, Devonshire and Bishop Spencer Road, Pembroke until approximately 5:30pm Wednesday, while the scene was processed.
Inquiries are ongoing. Any additional witnesses are encouraged to contact the investigating officer Constable Walter Jackson on 717-0469 or e-mail wjackson@bps.bm.
4th Road Fatality of 2023: 55-Year-Old Robert Simmons
Tue, 2023-03-07
The Bermuda Police Service can confirm the island has recorded its fourth road fatality, following that two vehicle road traffic collision which occurred shortly before 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023.
Police and other first responders were dispatched to the collision involving a taxi and a motorcycle on South Road, Warwick, near the junction with Tribe Road number two.
The motorcycle rider, 55-year-old Robert Charles Andre Simmons, was reportedly found unresponsive, lying face-down on the roadway.
He was immediately transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The taxi was headed west when Mr. Simmons who was traveling east, reportedly drifted into the westbound lane and collided with the front of the taxi.
There were reports the victim appeared to have experienced a medical episode before crossing lanes and becoming involved in the collision.
However, an autopsy has subsequently confirmed that death was due to injuries sustained in the collision.
The Bermuda Police Service extends condolences to Mr. Simmons’ family and loved ones.
Weekend Arrests
Mon, 2023-03-06
BLADED ARTICLE ARREST
Shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 5th, 2023, police received information that a male was seen at the Bus Terminal in the City of Hamilton with what appeared to be a large bladed item in his possession.
Officers immediately responded. However, upon arrival at the bus terminal, they were informed the subject had boarded a bus bound for Dockyard via Middle Road.
Officers located the bus and travelled safely behind it until a person fitting the description of the subject disembarked in the vicinity of the Bermuda Institute.
Officers approached the subject, a 32-year-old Warwick male and informed him that he would be searched under section 315F of the criminal code.
During the search officers recovered a meat cleaver from the waistband of the subject’s trousers. He was arrested for possession of a bladed article and conveyed to the Hamilton Police Station without incident.
CAR RECOVERED
Around 4:40 p.m. on Saturday 4th March 2023, Police were alerted by a member of the public that a blue Kia Picanto motorcar, which was reportedly taken without the owner’s consent following a burglary at a Hamilton Parish sometime between Thursday, February 28th and Saturday March 4th, 2023, was seen in the area of Crawl Point Lane West, Hamilton Parish.
Upon police arrival at that location, a male driving the suspect vehicle attempted to flee the scene but struck the front bumper of the police car, resulting in minor damage to both cars. The driver of the suspect vehicle was subsequently arrested and charged for burglary and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
BURGLARY
Around 2:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6th, 2023, police received a report of suspicious noises coming from above La Trattoria Restaurant in the Washington Mall. The caller informed police a male had just smashed in the glass door to “Sidekicks” sports shop."
Upon realising he was being watched, the male fled the scene by running up Washington lane towards City Hall.
Responding officers observed a motor car driven by a male fitting the description of the suspect, exiting the rear of City Hall. They approached the vehicle causing it to come to a stop.
The officers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered a crow bar, a pair of bolt cutters and a mask on the front passenger seat.
Officers seized the items and arrested and cautioned the driver for the offence of going equipped.
Further enquiries revealed the vehicle driven by the suspect was unlicensed and uninsured. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and the subject transported to the Hamilton Police Station where he was detained.
Investigations into all three matters remain ongoing. Anyone with information on any of them is asked to call 211 or, the main police number 295-0011. You may also contact the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477. Alternatively, share the information with a police officer whom you know.
Two Vehicle Collision on Middle Road, Paget Near Manse Road
Fri, 2023-03-03
Around 1:15pm on Friday 3rd March 2023, police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a 2 vehicle collision along Middle Road, Paget near the entrance to Tanglewood Road involving two motor cars.
Early information suggests both vehicles were traveling in opposite directions, when an unknown motorcycle headed in a westerly direction overtook the car in the westbound lane, causing the car traveling in the eastbound lane to take evasive action and strike a wall, before colliding with the car in the westbound lane.
A female senior citizen has been taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries not known to police at this time. No other persons involved were reported to be injured.
Extensive damage to one of the vehicles has caused an obstruction in the westbound lane. Traffic diversions are in place at Middle Road / Cobbs Hill Road and Middle Road / Manse Road until the road has been cleared.
Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call PC Jason Ming on 247-1788.
Scam Alert: Beware of Phishing E-mails Targeting Seniors
Thu, 2023-03-02
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to advise members of the public to beware of phishing scams that seek to obtain money, personal information and banking details.
Scam Alert: Beware of Imposters’ Claims & Fake Property Listings
Thu, 2023-03-02
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is once again advising members of the public to beware of social media scams that seek to obtain money, personal information and banking details.
In one such scam recently, a local man paid $1,000 for bedroom furniture advertised for sale on Instagram.
He was then contacted by someone claiming to work for a money service business, who needed help moving money out of accounts.
The same local man was ultimately contacted by someone who suggested that they were a detective in the Bermuda Police Service cyber crimes unit, following up on a computer related crime. The imposter asked for full personal banking details.
Recognising that the two spontaneous requests from individuals allegedly representing official organisations were also scams, the man did not comply with either request.
These matters are currently under investigation by the BPS Financial Crimes Unit.
Another scam which is circulating on social media involves apartments for rent in Bermuda and in other jurisdictions, where a deposit is requested to view the property.
However, once the deposit money is received, the person supposedly offering the apartment is no longer contactable and no property visit takes place.
Residents are reminded to be wary of any social media advertisements where the seller requires an initial cash deposit and/or personal information upfront.
In addition, it is strongly recommended that members of the public do their own due diligence regarding any social media advertisements they may be interested in.
Suspected scams can be reported by calling 211, or sending an e-mail to 211@bps.bm.
Operation Vega Update for February 2023
Wed, 2023-03-01
Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell, Tactical Operations Division – “For the month of February 2023, recorded traffic infractions were down in all categories when compared to January 2023. The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to progress Operation Vega under the ethos of calming the roads and making the roads safer, while holding those who commit traffic offences accountable.
Injuries in both fatal and serious injury collisions are consistently attributable to head injury. As part of the investigation into these matters, we are specifically looking at helmets, to determine if improper use or sub-standard helmets are contributing to these injuries. We encourage all to inspect your helmets. If they are damaged in any way, it is imperative that they are replaced.
The BPS continues to receive reports from members of the public who have suffered a bad driving experience. This includes careless overtaking, such as overtaking on the inside, being cut off and cycles encroaching to the opposite side of the road. We encourage all to reflect on their own driving behaviour and ensure that you are not adding to the problem.
Instances of impaired driving continues to be of concern. 27 people were arrested for this offence in February with 11 of those in an advertised road side sobriety testing weekend.
This compares to 14 motorists that were arrested in January. If you drink – do not drive, the life you save might be your own.”
Statistics
During the month of February 2023, 358 traffic tickets were issued, down from 490 in the previous reporting period. In addition, in this reporting period 56 motorist advice notices (official written warnings) were issued, down from 73 in the previous reporting period.
105 parking tickets were also issued, down from 240 in the previous reporting period.
For the first two months of this year (January & February 2023), 41 impaired drivers were arrested. That compares to 23 for the same period in 2022.
Since the start of Operation Vega (6th July 2021), a total of 8,923 traffic tickets have been issued.
The breakdown of ticketed traffic offences for February 2023 is below. The change compared to the previous reporting period is provided in brackets.
Speeding 222 (-32) Speeds ranged from 58 kph to 94 kph.
Traffic sign 52 (-13)
Unlicensed vehicle 24 (-22)
No third party insurance 21 (-14)
No driver’s licence 17 (-28)
Manner of driving 5 (+1)
Disqualified driver 0 (-2)
Seatbelt 2 (-2)
Helmet 8 (+3)
Handheld device 3 (-12)
Defective vehicle 2 (0)
Fail to give name/address 0 (0)
Fail to stop 2 (+2)
Fraudulent documents 0 (-1)
Making false statement 0 (-1)
License plate offence 0 (-4)
Tint offence 0 (-7)
Youth license offence 0 (0)
11 Impaired Driving Arrests During Checkpoints This Past Weekend
Mon, 2023-02-27
Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell, Tactical Operations Division – “As advertised, road side sobriety testing was enforced between last week Thursday, 23rd February 2023 and Sunday, 26th February 2023 on the roads of Bermuda.
In this period, 1,868 engagements were recorded. An engagement is a conversation between a police officer and a motorist where a sobriety assessment is conducted.
24 motorists were tested on road side sobriety testing devices. 11 of those motorists then failed the alco-analyser test at Hamilton Police Station and were arrested for an impaired driving offence.
In addition, during these exercises 5 road users were arrested on outstanding court apprehension warrants, 6 were issued moving violation tickets and 6 were issued motorist advice notices (official written warnings).
Two people were arrested for taking a motorcycle without the owner’s consent and two stolen motorcycles were recovered.
In the month of February 2023 to date, 27 motorists have been arrested for impaired driving offences. This compares to 11 motorists for the same period in 2022.
We continue to be concerned around how prolific impaired driving is in our community.
Even in the face of advertisement, there are those who will continue to take the chance.
11 arrests over the course of the last weekend equates to 11 lives saved.
Our message remains, if you drink do not drive.”
