Update: Reported Firearm Incident

Friday, February 24,2012

There are initial indications that the firearms incident reported Thursday evening in the vicinity of the Hamilton Police Station might be gang-related. The potential for a reprisal attack cannot be discounted. Therefore, the Bermuda Police Service will increase operations throughout the island commencing this weekend. This increased police activity will include road checks that will take place at various locations. This will no doubt cause some inconvenience and we ask the public for their patience and cooperation.

Reported Firearm Incident

Thursday, February 23,2012

Around 5:30pm on Thursday, February 23rd police responded to a reported firearm incident in the area of Victoria Street and Court Street in Pembroke. It appears that two men on a motorcycle were riding through the area when the pillion passenger brandished what appeared to be a firearm at another motorist. No shots were fired and no one was injured. A full investigation is underway. Police are appealing for any witnesses, particularly anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident, to contact the main police number 295-0011 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.

Driver Arrested After Harbour Road Collision

Wednesday, February 22,2012

A 44 year old St. George’s man has been arrested after reportedly leaving the scene of a single vehicle collision that occurred around 11am on Wednesday February 22nd along Harbour Road in Paget near the junction with Lovers Lane. Both the car involved and the utility pole were damaged; however, the driver was not injured. BELCO personnel have rectified the damaged pole and Harbour Road has since been reopened to normal traffic flow. Inquiries into this matter are ongoing.

2011 Year End Crime Statistics

Tuesday, February 21,2012

Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva - Good afternoon. I have called this press conference today to report on Bermuda’s crime statistics for the year ending 31st December 2011. Overview: 2011 saw the lowest recorded crime figures since comparative records began in 2000. With total crimes at 4,371 this is a decrease of -4.5% on 2010, which is an average of about 12 crimes per day. Crimes were reduced in 3 of the 4 major categories:

Drug Seizures

Monday, February 20,2012

On Thursday 16th February 2012, officers from the Public Protection Department of the Bermuda Police Service conducted a search warrant at a Nantucket Lane, Smith’s address. Significant quantities of suspected illegal drugs were seized, along with other items. As a result, two persons were arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.

Tribute to Police Constable Sandy Rowe

Wednesday, February 15,2012

The Bermuda Police Service would like to highlight the career of Police Constable Sandy Rowe following her untimely passing on Sunday, February 12th whilst undergoing treatment in a hospital overseas. The cause of her death is still being determined. Constable Rowe was a vibrant young officer in her 41st year and had 10 years of policing experience here in Bermuda as well as in her native island Jamaica. Constable Rowe arrived in Bermuda in 2007 and after completing her Localisation Course, she began operational policing in the central parishes where she quickly developed a rapport with residents in the area. This led to her being posted to the Community Action Team where she continued her work in the central parishes and was involved in the formation of the Friswells Hill community Neighbourhood Watch programme in 2011.

Shooting in St. Monica’s Road Area

Monday, February 13,2012

Around 9:15pm on Sunday, February 12th police responded to reported gunshots in the St. Monica’s Road, Pembroke area. Although forensic evidence collected confirmed a firearm had been discharged, there were no reported injuries. Inquiries into this matter are ongoing and any witnesses or anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011 or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477.

Death of Police Constable Sandy Rowe

Monday, February 13,2012

Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva - It is with great sadness that I report the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, Police Constable Sandy Rowe, who was in hospital overseas at the time of her death earlier today (Sunday, February 12th). The cause of her death is not clear at this time, but the news comes as a shock. Sandy joined us in February 2007 as a trained police officer from her home in Jamaica. I have asked my colleagues to keep her family in our thoughts and prayers as they cope with their extremely sad loss.

Van Collides With Wall in Paget

Monday, February 06,2012

Around 9:20am on Monday, February 6th police and first responders were dispatched to a single vehicle collision on Berry Hill Road in Paget. It appears that a van was travelling along Berry Hill Road when it collided with a wall in the area, ending up on its side. The van was damaged as a result; however the driver, a 33 year old Pembroke man and his passenger, a 27 year old Hamilton parish man, sustained minor injuries. Inquiries into this incident are underway.

Update: First Road Fatality For 2012

Monday, February 06,2012

The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the death of 48 year old Michael Lancelotta of Rhode Island, U.S.A. Mr. Lancelotta succumbed to injuries sustained after the rental cycle he was riding collided with a water truck around 6pm Sunday, February 5th on Wellington Street in St. George’s in the vicinity of Tiger Bay. Inquiries into this incident are ongoing and police continue to appeal for any witnesses to this collision to contact PC Walter Jackson at the Roads Policing Unit on 295-0011. The Bermuda Police Service extends condolences to the family & friends of Mr. Lancelotta.

First Road Fatality For 2012

Monday, February 06,2012

Around 6pm on Sunday, February 5th police and first responders attended a reported serious collision on Wellington Street in St. George’s in the vicinity of Tiger Bay. It appears that a water truck and a rental cycle were traveling along Wellington Street when the vehicles collided. The rider of the rental cycle, a 48 year old American man, was injured and subsequently succumbed to his injuries. No further information will be released until the next of kin has been notified. Inquiries into this incident are ongoing. Police are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to contact the Roads Policing Unit on 295-0011.

Search Warrant Results in Two Arrests on Drug Charges

Friday, February 03,2012

Officers from the Public Protection Department of the Bermuda Police Service earlier today executed a search warrant at a residence on Broken Hill Lane in Smith’s parish. A significant quantity of cash, suspected controlled drug and other items were seized. Two men, a 22 year old Smith’s parish man and a 32 year old Smith’s parish man were arrested at the scene, on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. Enquiries are continuing into this incident.

Stolen Statue

Friday, February 03,2012

Around 3:45pm on Thursday, February 2nd a theft occurred at a Paget property. It appears that two unknown men removed a Desmond Fountain statue known as ‘On The Ball’, escaping in a blue and grey coloured Hyundai car. The bronze sculpture is of a boy sitting on a football. The suspects are described as white, approximately 5’9” tall wearing light grey coloured shirts and blue jeans. Inquiries into this incident are underway. Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may know the whereabouts of this distinctive sculpture to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.

Advisory Regarding Illegal Investment Schemes

Thursday, February 02,2012

The Bermuda Police Service is aware that either ‘Ponzi’ or pyramid schemes may be in operation or being promoted in Bermuda. The Bermuda Police Service is working with its community partners, the Bermuda Monetary Authority and Consumer Affairs to investigate the matter and educate the public on this criminal threat. A Pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public.

Police to Engage & Educate Teens During Open House

Thursday, February 02,2012

The Bermuda Police Service will be holding an open house at Hamilton Police Station from 11am – 4pm on Saturday, February 4th 2012. The event is intended for high school students and will feature interactive presentations, such as: An explanation of the recent legislation regarding the use of hand held mobile devices and other electronic devices while riding or driving. An informative presentation by the Mirrors programme.

Suspected Burglars Arrested

Tuesday, January 31,2012

Police on mobile patrol throughout Devonshire & Smith’s parish after reported attempted burglaries in the area arrested a 44 year old Hamilton parish man and a 43 year old Smith’s parish man on suspicion of burglary during the early hours of Tuesday morning. In connection with the arrests, suspected stolen property was recovered and a reportedly stolen motorcycle ridden by one of the suspects was impounded after a brief pursuit. Both men remain in police custody pending further inquiries.

Ongoing Investigation into Recovered Suspected Stolen Jewellery

Tuesday, January 31,2012

Due to the level of public interest generated by the initial viewing of a large quantity of suspected stolen jewellery held on Friday, January 6th, a second viewing of the same items is scheduled for Thursday, February 2nd between 10am and 2pm. Detectives investigating the case are encouraging anyone who may have had jewellery stolen, particularly prior to June 15th 2011, to attend the Hamilton Police Station at 52 Victoria Street, Pembroke to view these items recovered by police.

Missing Juveniles: Santina Harvey & Ashley Mussenden [Located]

Tuesday, January 31,2012

The Bermuda Police Service is appealing for the public’s assistance in locating 17 year old Santina Harvey [pictured] and 15 year old Ashley Mussenden. The teenagers were last seen around 8pm Friday, January 27th. Santina is described as dark skinned of slim build, approximately 5’7” tall weighing around 115 pounds with long black hair. She was last seen wearing a red pajama top, black sweat pants and purple ‘Crocs’ shoes.

Witness Appeal: Serious Collision on Woodlands Road

Monday, January 30,2012

The investigation into the serious collision early Sunday morning on Woodlands Road in Pembroke involving a car and two pedestrians is ongoing. The victims, 35 year old twin brothers from Pembroke, remain in the Intensive Care Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. The car driver, a 50 year old Paget woman, has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Police are appealing for anyone who saw the victims prior to the collision, between 2am and 2:50am Sunday, January 29th or anyone who may have been in the Woodlands Road, Pembroke area around the time of the collision, to contact PC Tavoris Douglas on 295-0011.

Fire at Graceland Stables

Saturday, January 28,2012

Around 6:30am on Friday, January 27th police attended a reported fire in the Cobbs Hill Road, Paget area and were directed by members of the public to nearby stables along the Railway Trail that were ablaze. The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service promptly attended the location as well and actively worked to bring the flames under control.