Wed, 2024-06-05

The Bermuda Police Service is seeking the assistance of the public, following a number of thefts from boats in recent days.

The public are asked to report any persons seen acting suspiciously around bays and in the vicinity of moored boats and to report the sale of second hand marine equipment that appears to be of a suspicious nature.

It should be noted that it is an offence to purchase stolen property.

Thefts have so far been reported from vessels moored at locations in St. George’s, Smith’s and Harbour Road, Paget.

Owners are encouraged to remove valuable items from their boat and take precautions, where possible, to secure removable items. Additionally, punts should be secured to a permanent object with a good quality chain and padlock.

Owners are also encouraged to take pictures of their boat and its equipment, as well as note serial numbers and identifying marks, to aid in their recovery in the event that property is stolen.

Anyone with information regarding stolen boats, or marine equipment, is asked to contact 211, or the main police number 295-0011. You may also speak with an officer you know or use the community reporting portal at https://portal.police.bm.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Tue, 2024-06-04

Investigations by the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) Financial Crime Unit, into acts of money laundering, have led to a number of convictions and resulted in the seizure of more than two hundred thousand dollars in recent times.

Between 2021 and the present, five people have been convicted and monies seized following investigations into suspected money laundering offences.

2021 - R vs Marcal Burrows: $22,000.00

2022 - R vs Nadia Lowther: $55,340.00

2023 - R vs Boyd and Ramsey: $28,982.00

2023 - R vs Alcide Polanco: $78,555.00

Civil forfeiture 2024: $16,289.00

These successes were realised thanks to a collaborative effort involving partner agencies, all with a commitment to prosecuting those who violate the law.

There are also several matters pending before both the Supreme and Magistrates’ Courts, involving more than $400,000 in alleged unlawful funds.

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith of the Specialist Investigations Unit (SIU) stated: “The BPS remains unwavering in its pursuit of those who choose to engage in criminal activity, and we continue to encourage anyone with information regarding suspected money laundering offences to come forward. Together, we have the power to make a difference.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Public Prosecutions stated: “We are pleased with the rate of detection of money laundering offences which have led to successful prosecutions and convictions before the courts.”

“We acknowledge the hard work of investigating officers in ensuring that these difficult cases are brought before the courts. We also wish to express our gratitude to those partner agencies and community members who collaborated with police, to make these positive outcomes a reality.”

The Bermuda Police Service wishes urges the public, should you have information regarding any kind of criminal activity, please contact us via 211, the main police number 295-011, the online community reporting portal: https://portal.police.bm/ or of course speak with a police officer you know.

You may also call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Fri, 2024-05-31

Around 5:40 PM on Friday the 31 May 2024 police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a single vehicle road traffic accident on Cavendish Road near the junction with Shelton Road, Pembroke, involving a motorcycle.

The male motorcycle rider was transported to King Edward Memorial Hospital, for treatment of his injuries, the extent of which is not known at this time.

Traffic was diverted away from the area for approximately 45 minutes, whilst police processed the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call police on 211 at the earliest opportunity.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Wed, 2024-05-29

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is making a final appeal to identify the owner of a significant amount of money discovered Sunday, 10th March 2024 in the area of Church Bay Park, Southampton.

To claim this cash, please get in touch with Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith of the Specialist Investigations Department by calling 717-0864, or emailing jsmith2@bps.bm.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Mon, 2024-05-27

Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels – “Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the media. I am here to provide a brief overview of the Bermuda Day holiday weekend’s key incidents. I ask you in advance if you can save any questions you may have until the end.

I recognise there may be many questions regarding the tragic stabbing death at Horseshoe Bay on Bermuda Day.

Please be mindful that an 18 year old man has now been charged before the courts, thus it is limited what information police can share.

Stabbing Murder of 20-Year-Old Zijae Jones

I begin this afternoon by expressing sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of 20-year-old Zijae Jones, whose life was tragically cut short on Bermuda Day. As previously reported in the local media: -

About 3.15pm Friday 24th May 2024, police responded to a group of men fighting at Horseshoe Beach in Southampton Parish.

On arrival, they observed the victim 20-year-old Zijae Jones (pictured) being treated by persons at the scene, before being conveyed to hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced deceased later that afternoon.

Police commenced a full investigation and arrested two men a short time later.

As you would have seen by now an 18-year-old man was charged before the courts this morning on suspicion of causing Mr. Jones’ murder.

I take this opportunity to thank all of those persons who have thus far come forward and provided a statements and/or other information to the police.

However, police are still seeking to speak with additional persons who are believed to be in possession of key information regarding this murder investigation.

Additionally, those in possession of video footage, we ask again please do not circulate, but instead make contact with us so that we can retrieve it.

Anyone with any information is asked to make contact with Acting Inspector Anneka Donawa on 717-2250, or email her at adonawa@bps.bm.

There’s also the option of calling the BPS on 211 or speaking with a police officer you know. Alternatively, there is the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477 (TIPS).

Front Street Stabbing

Earlier on Bermuda Day police attended an initial stabbing incident.

About 7:54am officers responded to a report of a stabbing outside of Pier 6, Front Street, in Pembroke Parish.

A 22-year-old male victim was conveyed to hospital by ambulance after receiving a cut to his head with an unknown bladed weapon.

On scene police officers received information that an unknown female had stabbed the victim prior to their arrival and had left the scene.

The victim was treated for none-life threatening injuries at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, before being released.

Investigations are ongoing with police making attempts to locate the suspect.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police Detective Sergeant Seymour Foote at telephone number 717-2282, email sfoote@bps.bm, call the BPS 211 line or speak with a police officer you know.

Alternatively, there is the confidential Crime Stoppers hotline on 800-8477 (TIPS).

Recovery of a Firearm

At 11:10pm on Thursday 23rd May 2024, officers were on patrol in the area of Cambridge Road, Sandys Parish when they observed persons flee on foot after seeing police.

The officers made a search of the general area, resulting in the recovery of a firearm.

The weapon is being forensically processed and test fired to establish if it is operational.

The men made good their escape out of the area.

The Serious Crime Unit are continuing investigations into this firearm recovery.

Major Damage Collision – North Shore Road, Pembroke

At 8.13am on Friday 24th May 2024, police responded to a report of a collision involving two trucks on North Shore Road near the junction with Stepney Lane, Pembroke.

Initial reports were that the driver of the water truck was trapped inside and the other truck was on fire. The water truck driver was assisted getting out of the vehicle.

Both parties were conveyed to hospital where they were treated for relatively minor injuries.

North Shore Road was closed while the scene was processed by Traffic Collision Investigators and the Forensic Support Unit.

The scene was cleared after being processed and the debris removed from the roadway.

Overview<

There were 19 arrests made by police over the Bermuda Day holiday weekend, including 5 for impaired driving.

There were also 3 other incidents over the weekend involving bladed articles, resulting in two further victims being treated at the hospital and released for non-life threatening injuries.

Since 2020, there have been 84 incidents reported to police involving bladed instruments, with 87 resulting in injury.

In 2023, there were 25 bladed weapons incidents, and 16 thus far this year with less than 5 months completed. There have been 31 arrests for bladed articles thus far in 2024, with 58 having been made last year (2023).

This is not a new phenomenon and if active steps are not taken to arrest this type of behaviour, this can become an epidemic.

Police continue to take proactive steps in an effort to reduce bladed article incidents, whether exercising our legislative powers of stop and search, under 315F of the Criminal Code, PACE etc.; providing education and awareness to our local communities; as well as increasing patrols in targeted areas.

What is certain is we cannot do it alone and need the support of the entire community and all of our key stakeholders.

Persons carrying bladed articles for protection should note that not only is this unlawful, but they are more likely to use the bladed instrument, should they be targeted.”

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Sun, 2024-05-26

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) reminds residents to be wary of fake social media adverts promising quick financial gains or other offers that sound too good to be true.

Often such social media posts or direct messages use the likeness of local public personalities and copy the design of local news outlets, to make their offerings look more legitimate.

Many of these fraudulent social media adverts appear as sponsored posts.

Here are some quick ways to tell if an enticing social media post or direct message is suspicious:

Spelling and grammatical mistakes.

The link used for more information does not match the website expected and connects to a different webpage.

Once again, members of the public are urged not to divulge personal information or send any money to unknown persons that randomly make contact over the internet.

To report a cyber-crime, please call 211 or use the BPS online community reporting portal: https://portal.police.bm/.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Sat, 2024-05-25

The Bermuda Police Service is aware of several videos being circulated, in relation to a fatal stabbing incident, which took place at Horseshoe Bay Beach on Friday, 24th May 2024.

The nature of these videos is extremely graphic, and the sharing of them on social media, will no doubt be upsetting to the loved ones of the victim.

Videos and images recorded at crime scenes, are also considered crucial evidence in an investigation. The sharing of such evidence, could be detrimental to potential court cases.

Rather than sharing these videos and images with friends or through social media, we want to encourage members of the community to send them to police instead and at the earliest opportunity.

If you have received videos or images of this latest incident, we are urging you not to share them and to delete them from your devices.

The Bermuda Police Service is very keen to speak to anyone who was at Horseshoe Bay Beach around 3:15pm on 24th of May, and recorded images or video of an altercation involving several males.

Those witnesses are asked to contact Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa on 717-2250 or adonawa@bps.bm. You can also contact a police officer that you know.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Fri, 2024-05-24

Around 8:15 AM on Friday, 24th of May 2024 police and other first responders were dispatched to a report of a serious two vehicle collision, involving a dumpster truck and a water truck on North Shore Road, in the vicinity of Overview, Hill, Pembroke.

It is believed that the trucks were traveling in opposite directions when the collision occurred. Both male drivers were transported to King Edward Memorial Hospital, for treatment of their injuries. The extent of their injuries is not known at this time.

As a result of this collision, the roadway is completely blocked. Diversion have been put in place at Overview Hill and Langton Hill while the scene is being examined and cleared.

Anyone who may have information regarding this collision is asked to call Police Constable 2561 Kayjuna Lema on 211 or klema@bps.bm.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Fri, 2024-05-24

Shortly before 8 AM on Friday, 24th of May 2024 police were in the process of clearing the raceway on Front Street CoH, when they were alerted to a report of a stabbing just outside of Pier 6.

Information suggests that there may have been some sort of domestic dispute involving a male and a female, resulting in the male receiving a stab wound to the head.

EMTs attended the scene to render first aid to the victim and he has been conveyed to King Edward Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The suspect is described as being a slim, build, dark skin, complexion, female, wearing dark clothing.

This incident took place in front of a large number of Bermuda Day spectators.

We are encouraging anyone who may have witnessed this incident and have not already spoken with police, to call Sergeant Seymour Foote on 247-1154, 717-2282 or email sfoote@bps.bm.

Anonymous reporting can also be made on portal.police.bm or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.

• More Press Releases Here

Read More

Thu, 2024-05-23

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith, Officer in Charge, Specialist Investigations Department – “During a bilateral investigation, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) and the Customs Department intercepted a considerable amount of illegal substances entering the island.

This joint inquiry has resulted in a Canadian woman being charged in Magistrates' Court with:

Conspiracy to import cannabis.

Importation of a controlled drug (cannabis).

Possession with intent to supply.

The drugs confiscated had a street worth of approximately $1.8 million.

This seizure goes a long way toward eliminating illegal drug dealing in Bermuda.

The BPS will continue to collaborate with partners to improve safety in Bermuda.

We also renew our call to all community partners to report any illegal or questionable activities. Together, we can make a difference.”

• More Press Releases Here

Read More