Recruit Foundation Course #74 Underway

Thursday, May 17,2012

15 new Bermuda Police Service recruits are currently undergoing an intensive 12 week training course in preparation to become police officers. Recruit Foundation Course #74 commenced on Monday May 7th, 2012 with the recruits being sworn in as Police Constables on Thursday May 10th, 2012. They are now on their second week of the 12 week programme [click photo to enlarge].

Update: Man Found Bound & Wrapped in Sheet

Thursday, May 17,2012

A thorough investigation has been conducted into the reported incident that occurred around 1:40am Saturday, 21st April 2012 where police officers proactively patrolling discovered a 50 year old man, bound by his hands and feet and wrapped in a sheet, left on a sidewalk in the North Shore Road, East Park Lane Pembroke area. At the time, three individuals were seen fleeing the scene. The 50 year old man was not injured. Detectives collected various items for forensic examination and subsequently identified all of the individuals involved.

Police & Fire Service Make Surprise Appearance at Wedding

Tuesday, May 15,2012

The Bermuda Police Service and the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service are used to working together to achieve a favourable outcome - and they did just that recently when they made a special appearance at the wedding of Rebecca Beisel and Jason Stoddard at the Elbow Beach Resort on Wednesday, May 9th 2012 [pictured, click photo to enlarge].

Man Pleads Guilty To Passing Counterfeit Currency

Thursday, May 10,2012

25 year old Ronico Richardson pled guilty to four counts of passing counterfeit currency in Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 9th 2012. The offences took place at two Front Street establishments on November 18th 2011, with the defendant admitting to passing two counterfeit U.S. $50 notes at each location. As a result, Richardson was fined $3,000 by Magistrate Tokunbo to be paid by June 29th 2012. He was also found guilty of an additional charge, perverting the course of justice, for giving a false name to police when he was arrested for the counterfeit currency offences.

Advisory Regarding Protecting Financial Assets

Monday, May 07,2012

In light of recent Supreme Court results dealing with theft from seniors, Chief Inspector Sean Field-Lament of the Financial Crime Unit released the following statement. “My hopes are that these significant results will act as a deterrent for people considering taking advantage of elderly victims. The successful use of the new Senior Abuse Register Act 2008 should reassure the public of the commitment of the Bermuda Police Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to safeguard all of Bermuda’s citizens, no matter their age or circumstance.”

Supreme Court: Police Welcome Guilty Pleas in Theft Case

Monday, May 07,2012

The Bermuda Police Service welcomed the guilty pleas of Barbra Tannock at Supreme Court this morning. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted five guilty pleas to various theft charges surrounding what amounted to a $75,000 theft from the accounts of an 86 year old widow. The matter is set aside for a Social Inquiry Report and will be back in the June Supreme Court arraignments session for sentencing.

Suspected U.S. Counterfeit Currency Advisory

Friday, May 04,2012

The Bermuda Police Service has recently taken possession of a quantity of suspected high quality counterfeit U.S. $100 bills. The suspected fake U.S. currency was intercepted at a local financial institution and is believed to have originated overseas. As a result, the public is advised to be vigilant regarding U.S. $100 bills in circulation locally. In particular, U.S. $100 bills bearing a series of either 1996 or 2006 should be closely inspected for authenticity.

Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Kawesi Wilson [Apprehended]

Thursday, May 03,2012

The Bermuda Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating 36 year old Kawesi Simba Wilson (pictured). On Tuesday 28th February 2012, Wilson was convicted in Magistrates Court for the offences of Burglary and Going Equipped with Implements for Burglary and was sentenced to a period of 2 years’ probation, with specific conditions. Wilson has now breached these conditions resulting in the Magistrates Court issuing a warrant for his arrest on Thursday 26th April 2012.

One Year Later: Jason Smith Murder Investigation Ongoing

Wednesday, May 02,2012

The Bermuda Police Service would first of all like to acknowledge the assistance provided to them by members of the public in relation to the murder of Jason Smith one year ago. Investigators continue to pursue all new lines of enquiry, but to date no one has been brought to justice for this heinous murder. Our thoughts are obviously with Jason's family and friends during this very difficult time.

Update: Town Hill Road Collision

Thursday, April 26,2012

Around 11:30am on Thursday April 26th, police and first responders attended a reported single vehicle collision in the Town Hill Road, Smith’s area. It appears that a car was travelling along Town Hill Road when it collided with a wall. The driver, a 39 year old Paget woman and the backseat passenger, an 11 month old infant were both injured and conveyed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment. Initially their injuries were not believed to be life threatening; however the infant is currently in the Intensive Care Unit while the Paget woman is still being assessed at the hospital. Inquiries into this incident are ongoing.

2012 First Quarter Crime Statistics

Thursday, April 26,2012

Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva - Overview: Over the long term, total crime continues on a downward trend and remains virtually unchanged from the previous quarter. At 1,163 total crimes, the quarterly average is consistent with the previous 12 month period. Moderate increases in some categories have been equalised by moderate decreases in others. This is within the normal ebb and flow of individual crime classifications that we would expect to see from quarter to quarter. For a more accurate crime picture, statistics are normally compared over periods of 12 months and longer.

Appeal Launched After Man Found Bound & Wrapped in Sheet

Monday, April 23,2012

Around 1:40am Saturday, 21st April 2012 police were on patrol in the North Shore Road, East Park Lane Pembroke area when they drove past three men carrying a long object. The officers turned around to investigate further but the men made off from the area. The officers discovered a man, bound by his hands and feet and wrapped in a sheet, left behind on the sidewalk. The 50 year old man, a resident from the area, fortunately was not injured. The three suspects were not located despite a thorough search of the area, but various items have been collected that are being examined for fingerprints and DNA.

Circulation of Misleading Text Message

Monday, April 23,2012

The Bermuda Police Service is aware of a text message widely circulated over the weekend suggesting that a man had been shot somewhere in the western parishes. We would like to assure the public that no such report was made to the police, no-one was treated at the hospital for gunshot injuries and no-one has come forward to verify the text message. The Bermuda Police Service wishes to caution against the pitfalls of disseminating unsubstantiated information via mobile devices and social media. This is not the first example of unconfirmed reports and inaccurate information that have sparked unnecessary anxiety throughout the community.

Two Men Convicted For Involvement in North Shore Shooting

Monday, April 23,2012

Today in the Supreme Court Pelealkhai Williams and Jonathan Dill were convicted as a result of their guilty pleas with regards to their involvement in the shooting of a man outside the Gravity Nightclub on the 8th October 2011. Williams pleaded guilty to a charge of ‘Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence with a Firearm’ and ‘Wounding with Intent’. Dill pleaded guilty to a charge of ‘Accessory After The Fact to Wounding with Intent’. Both men will be sentenced at a later date.

Policing for Annual Agricultural Exhibition

Tuesday, April 17,2012

Superintendent Martin Weekes - The Bermuda Police Service takes this opportunity to advise the public on a number of matters to ensure a peaceful and safe time during this year’s Agricultural Exhibition which will take place this weekend coming commencing on Thursday 19th April concluding on Saturday 21st April 2012.

Court Appearance: Man Charged In Reid Street Shooting

Friday, April 13,2012

A 23 year old Pembroke man appeared in Magistrates Court this morning in relation to a shooting incident that occurred on Reid Street near Shine’s Nightclub at about 3:25am Saturday 24th March, 2012. Fortunately, none one was injured. A second man has been arrested in connection with this incident and remains in police custody pending further inquiries. Detectives are still keen to speak with any person that can assist with this investigation in any way.

Court Appearance: Man Charged Regarding Imitation Firearm

Friday, April 13,2012

An 18 year old Hamilton parish man appeared in Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 12th 2012 charged with possession of an imitation firearm whilst committing an indictable offence. He was not required to plea as it is an indictable offence, which must be tried in the Supreme Court. The defendant is also facing sentencing regarding a credit card theft and a handbag snatch. As a result, the 18 year old Hamilton parish man has been remanded into custody. He is scheduled to reappear in court later this month for all the aforementioned matters.

Investigation Ongoing: Gunshots Reported at Somerset Cricket Club

Tuesday, April 10,2012

Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the reported gunshots that occurred around 2:45am Friday 6th April 2012 at Somerset Cricket Club in Sandys parish. Initial information suggested one man was injured as a result. It was later confirmed that two men, a 41 year old and an 18 year old were injured; however both received minor wounds. It is not clear at this time if their injuries were as a result of the reported gunshots; and this remains a focal point of the investigation. Both men were treated at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and discharged.

Serious Collision

Monday, April 09,2012

Around 12 noon on Monday April 9th, police responded to a report of a collision between a truck and a livery cycle. It appears that the vehicles were travelling along Malabar Road in Sandys when they collided. The rider, a visitor to the island, sustained serious leg injuries and was conveyed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for treatment. The scene of the collision was closed off from traffic for further forensic examination. It has since been re-opened. Inquiries into this incident are underway.

Sudden Death: Update

Monday, April 09,2012

The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of 25 year old Ryan Craig. It appears that around 4:35pm on Thursday April 5th, police received a report of a missing diver in the waters off of Grotto Bay Hotel. As a result, police divers and a Bermuda Police Service marine vessel conducted an active search. He was located in the waters a short time later in an unresponsive state and was immediately given first aid while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. He was conveyed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6.35pm.