RCIPS TACKLING SPURT IN SERIOUS CRIMES

A spurt of serious criminal activity is occupying the attention of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service(RCIPS).

In one recent incident, firearms officers and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to a report of an attempted murder at an address on Gorse Lane in the Birch Tree Hill area of West Bay. It was reported that a man had been shot multiple times while outside the residence. The victim was hospitalised with serious injuries but was subsequently said to be in stable condition. In their investigation of the shooting, RCIPS officers found a number of spent shell casings in the vicinity of the shooting.

They have concluded that it was a targeted attack and appears to be gang-related.

Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton assured that “as always, our main priority remains ensuring public safety. He also said the RCIPS was taking the immediate step of increasing proactive patrols, particularly in targeted areas. “Members of the public can expect to see an increased presence of armed officers and may experience some inconvenience due to vehicle control points and stop checks. We urge the public to cooperate with our officers as best they can, to assist us in bringing the culprits to justice, and proactively preventing any potential retaliation.”

“Although this attack was targeted, we understand that members of the public may be concerned by this and other firearm-related incidents which have taken place over the weekend,” Commissioner Walton adds. “We urge everyone to continue to exercise personal safety, but by the same token, we remind everyone not to attempt to take matters into their own hands, but allow the police to do our job. The best way to do this is to provide information which can assist with our investigations, no matter how minor it may seem. Don’t help the culprits evade justice by keeping information to yourself.”

Meanwhile, the RCIPS is busy with investigations into other armed robbery attempts. They include an attempted armed robbery at a restaurant on North Sound Road just north of Shedden Road by three masked men. They fled the location. No shots were fired, no one was injured, and nothing was stolen during the incident.

Police are on the lookout for the suspects in that incident. The one brandishing the gun is described as being about 5’6” tall, and of dark complexion. He was wearing all black, including a black hoodie and shoes, and carrying a black handgun. The second suspect is described as about 5’9” tall, and was wearing a black hoodie, a white mask and white slippers. The third suspect was wearing a black hoodie, dark-coloured jeans, sneakers, and was carrying a green bag. All three suspects are described as being of slim build.

In another incident, officers responded to a report of a possible attempted robbery outside a business on Shedden Road, just east of Mary Street. A security officer had just exited an armoured truck at the location when two men dressed in dark clothing and hoodies approached. One of the men was carrying a black handgun. The security officer immediately approached a nearby police vehicle. Upon seeing the police vehicle, the two men fled the location. No shots were fired, no one was injured, and nothing was taken during the incident. One of the men is described as being about 5’11” tall, and of slim build, the second man is about 6’2” tall and of medium build.

Shortly before 8:00PM the same night, officers responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a business on Bodden Town Road, east of Cumber Avenue. It was reported that a man entered the location, brandishing a handgun, and demanded cash. The man was challenged by the owner of the establishment, who brandished a machete. The assailant fled the location. No shots were fired, no one was injured, and nothing was taken during the incident. That suspect was dressed in all black, with a black hoodie and a black mask, and was carrying a black handgun.

The RCIPS says all three matters are under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via our Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777, or via the websitehttp://www.rcips.ky/submit-a-tip . Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Cayman Crime Stoppers websitehttps://caymancrimestoppers.com/ .