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Cell phone snatchers, dingy thieves rampant in the VI - RVIPF

At the Tuesday January 28, 2014 press conference Superintendent of Crime Mr Alexis Charles had told reporters that the Territory recorded 432 cases of theft for 2013. Photo: VINO/File
RVIPF has issued another alarming report of another form of thieving that has seen a dramatic rise in the Territory, that of dinghies and generators. Photo: VINO/File
RVIPF has issued another alarming report of another form of thieving that has seen a dramatic rise in the Territory, that of dinghies and generators. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Just weeks after top officials of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) including the Commission of Police (CoP) Mr David Morris led a press conference reporting the outrageous number of cell phones stolen in the Territory, they have had cause to sound the alarm bell on the appalling number of dinghy thefts taking place.

At the Tuesday January 28, 2014 press conference Superintendent of Crime Mr Alexis Charles had told reporters that the Territory recorded 432 cases of theft for 2013. “One point I would like to make regarding the acquisition crime of theft is that we recorded some 432 thefts for 2013, and of that number 55 were cellphone thefts. This means that we are seeing one in every eight thefts involving a cell phone,” Charles had said.

Less than a month after that report the RVIPF has issued another alarming report of another form of theft that has seen a dramatic rise in the Territory, that of dinghies and generators. Describing the situation as ‘dramatic, Public Relations Officer of the RVIPF Ms Diane Drayton told this news site that the situation is indeed appalling. “Yes this is a serious matter,” she said, adding that they are still urging persons to have tracking devices installed on their mobile phones.

In a press release dated Tuesday, February 18, 2014 the RVIPF urged owners of dinghies and/or generators to take the necessary steps to secure and safeguard their dinghies and generators against theft.

The release stated that within the last three weeks, the number of thefts of dinghies and generators has risen significantly with over ten dinghies reported stolen. A search of the mangroves and adjoining areas by Police Marine Officers has resulted in the recovery of most of the dinghies but no engines were attached. A later search has resulted in the recovery of five boat engines.

According to the release, Head of the Police Marine Branch Inspector Marlon Charles noted that sea patrols have increased since perpetrators are now moving on the sea under the cover of night to steal. Since the upsurge a number of arrests have been made but no charges have been laid.

“We are on night patrols around marinas and docks and doing what we can to apprehend would-be suspects but it is important the boat owners do their part to secure these items in advance,” he said in the release.

Inspector Charles is asking those who have had engines stolen to report to the Police Marine Base at Road Reef with identification and the necessary ownership documents to claim these items.

Generators left on construction sites overnight have also become popular among thieves. Five such thefts have been reported since the beginning of the year.

“Police are appealing to the public for information that could assist in identifying those perpetrators responsible for these thefts. Persons with information can call the Intelligence Unit at 468-9339 or anonymously call the Crimestopper Hotline in Miami at 800-TIPS, 800-8477,” the release said.

8 Responses to “Cell phone snatchers, dingy thieves rampant in the VI - RVIPF”

  • Bob (20/02/2014, 08:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Police know who they are. New Judge has them before him and lets them off with a reprimand. Bring back Redhead.
  • weed (20/02/2014, 08:35) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    who trust the police and their stat?
  • Observer (20/02/2014, 10:30) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    No Tortolians in any top spot in the police force they all were forced out talk that.....
  • Boos man (20/02/2014, 12:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about cell phone tapping? Lets talk about that! Crime is crime! What's yours???
  • Go on (20/02/2014, 12:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    go where and the Governor got he back eh?
  • Time for the Crime (20/02/2014, 18:45) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I honestly believe that if the parents took their heads out of the sand and stopped believing that their child is an angel that it would be a good start to stopping the crime rate in the BVI. It's imperative for parents to stop defending their child when caught or implicated in a crime. Finally they need to be punished when they do wrong. They also should face their victims, apologize and be required to compensate for the damages their actions caused. The little thieves of the BVI are going to continue thieving because they get more out of the crime than the punishment. They have no care for the victims. They want their belongings to sell for small profit. They don't consider how hard a person worked or how long they saved to buy the things they find valuable enough to steal. Why? Because they lack a sense of respect for others. Because their personal gain is far more important than the loss they cause others. Because no matter what they will walk out ahead of the game...even if caught. Now isn't it time to start changing their thought process. Parents if you catch your kid with things that you never bought or they cannot afford don't let them keep it. Take their newfound toys away a d either donate or take to the police as a suspected theft. If you know where the items came from then drive them to the victim and have your child return the stolen item, apologize and pay for their crime. Ground them! Know where they are when they're not in school and make certain they know their freedon is not a right while they are under your roof. Teach them values. Teach them to be humble. Get them involved in giving of themselves in volunteer activities within the church and community. Teach them honour and integrity. Yes, there will always be a few bad apples but if your kid has been raised properly he will think twice about doing wrong. If the parents can't do it then the legal system must.
  • hound (23/02/2014, 01:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its not exactly breaking news how many dinghies and motors get stolen. IN Fat Hogs Bay - the dinghies ar eusually found in the same place every time - year after year. It should not be difficult policing to stop at least that "cell" of thieving in the East End.
    In terms of reporting stolen dinghies the bare Boat companies are not helping combat the crime. They rarely bother to report lost and stolen dinghies. If the bareboat company in Hodges Creek had not been begged to report a stolen dinghy the night of the attempted armed robbery in Fat Hogs Bay - then there may not have been any connection between that stolen dingy and how the armed robbers got to the boat. The police don't make reporting easy as t hey require a d entailed report that can take hours to fill in ( as the police can't type or fill in a report) so that put everyone off reporting s token dinghies.
    but the crimes will continue until the robbers are t amen to court - locked up or put on stuff probation.


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