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Vessel seized on way to Dominican Republic with electronic items

A business on the Tortola Pier Park that was allegedly looted following Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons charged for looting. Photo: RVIPF
Some of the persons charged for looting. Photo: RVIPF
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While the Customs Department and other law enforcement authorities are tight-lipped, it is our newsroom's understanding that a few weeks ago a barge leaving Tortola to the Dominican Republic (DR) with electronic items and other goods was siezed by Her Majesty's Customs.

One local businessman, who is familiar with the incident, told our newsroom that his Road Town store was looted of computers and other electronic items and he has already given the Customs Department a copy of looted items, along with serial numbers.

It is not clear if items on the barge that was headed to the DR are associated with looted items.

Looting gone wild after Irma

Immediately after Hurricane Irma destroyed the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017 leaving death, destruction, and panic, there was widespread looting in Road Town and other areas on Tortola, Jost van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.

It has been reported that looters included locals, expats, whites, civil servants, police and some media personality.

They took everything  

Looting items included clothes, electronic items (especially computers and cellular phones), grocery store items, alcohol, chairs, cash, automobiles, gas, sporting goods, items from people's homes, boats, generators and luxury items to name a few.

Our newsroom will investigate further on the information surrounding the seized barge. 

Arrested made

Over a week ago Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews announced that seven persons were charged for attempting to loot BVI Communications in Purcell Estate.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), James Watson, 57; Montgomery Butler, 50; Dwayne Peter's, 34; and a minor plead not guilty and were granted bail for their reappearance in October.

Kevin Stevens, 22; Mekell Delpleshe, 22; and Triston Richardson, 24 plead guilty and were sentenced to 300 hours of community service or $3,000.

 

36 Responses to “Vessel seized on way to Dominican Republic with electronic items”

  • wize up (05/10/2017, 12:01) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Set of theifing M.S......more to call me
    • Howdy doody (05/10/2017, 13:17) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      me no see any whites looting - wheres the photos
    • So true (05/10/2017, 18:57) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
      @Wize up, for real. Those low life ;(?k?)$ stole all that .,it from the same Country that is feeding them. What a set of thiefing low life scums. I'm glad they got caught. A lot more from other Islands is doing it. They are scamming us big time.
    • vex (07/10/2017, 03:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was take what you could get fast fast fast
  • pat (05/10/2017, 12:18) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well sah
  • barbie (05/10/2017, 13:00) Like (29) Dislike (6) Reply
    Good start. Half the items on that ship were looted. The Jamaicans and Spanish start thieving before, during and after the storm. It was so disheartening to see this. Shame on all involve. I know you were taught better.
    • Eye withness (06/10/2017, 01:50) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Around 2pm when we came to town the day after Irma we saw the Spanish and few Jamaicans looting out all the Syrians the Spanish even their kids looted we drove all over looking police only to see the police parked on the round about where they use to sell market looking at them looting on top said roping down TV we ask they responded we don't have enough force to deal with it we was shocked after seeing this we don't feel safe here looters doing infront the police not to mention the owners and the smile on their faces as if they won a grand prize ... After Irma that was another shock the way how looters took over the territory like another hurricane unbelievable makes u wonder should another crisis hit they might kill n stomple us for food this is how they love anyway
    • Ugh (06/10/2017, 06:21) Like (0) Dislike (17) Reply
      Start calling yourself a cabbage patch because just by your statements you are ugly...Everyone looted...Ugh.
      • excuse you (06/10/2017, 15:25) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        Who everyone looted?????? Speak for your damn thieving self eh. Bout everyone looted! Chuppppessssss
        • To excuse you (06/10/2017, 19:34) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          Every nationality on this island looted...You know this now KYMS..And a strupz dont clean teeth..lol they giving away toothpaste you know?...
  • joke (05/10/2017, 14:22) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    To those that stole Tv's from a particular store. You all will have to pay to get rhem fixed because they came damaged. So the joke on all you
  • He run to the states (05/10/2017, 15:22) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Name the media personality please
  • Susie (05/10/2017, 15:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    That first guy look familiar.
  • Customs u Working... Nice Job (05/10/2017, 16:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time for immigration and labour to step.. interview all those employees who are going to lay off to ascertain a good reason...The police failed.. These Looti g was done high day every day...The Government was sleeping, A state of emergency and a Curfew should have been put in place The next day...Congrats Customs..
    • eh (06/10/2017, 01:58) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      The police fail cause they should start locking up but they watch n later joined no example set this should of be Trini cause Trini police doh play they would get so much licks baton n bullets tou know what got me pissed places that didn't get damages they broke the glass and entered they was walking with tools in their hands big daylight they was not afraid of no law ...all their homes should be raided items seized every man jack lock up Possession of stolen items loot my foot that's stealing point blank ..
    • Lord o (06/10/2017, 06:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Customs u Working. U mean immigration and labour should step their Game up and interview all those employers that going lay people off to get Justification/ Good Reason..
  • GB (05/10/2017, 18:07) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just being curious, why are 'whites' on a separate category? Why not include them with the 'expats' or even the 'locals'?
    • True (06/10/2017, 07:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      It makes me wonder if that international newspaper article that said 'whites' are being discriminated against . I didn't believe it but the wording like this makes me wonder. I guess they getting a taste of how we feel when they look down on us. It doesn't make it right though. Anyway, I did a bit of journalism and unless this newsite has definitive proof, photos, videos, etc to back up these claims the word "alleged" should be used. We know that looting happened, widespread and everyone is saying who did it but unfortunately 'talk' cannot hold up in court. These lowlifes need to be brought to justice!
  • Wes (05/10/2017, 18:26) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Send their tiefing mudas@#$t in the juil
  • mi (05/10/2017, 18:33) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tortolan toooo ????
  • Quite sure (05/10/2017, 19:04) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    I'm quite sure my stolen generator is on that boat.
    • So true (06/10/2017, 06:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Quite sure, I think a lot of my stuff is also on that boat. The Dominicans and the Jamacians were going to people houses after the storm taking stuff. my generator was also stolen.
  • wize up (05/10/2017, 19:49) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    This place needs some serious immigration reform: all now, them selling without permission and every penny gone via money gram or western union: which VI Lander can go into another man's country and sell item without permission(next time you in Road Town) open your eyes and see who violating this territory's laws; selling this and selling that and no permission from the trade authorities(bvi is a very lawless society)....
  • Angel (05/10/2017, 23:26) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    I don't think it right to judge Jamaican and Spanish they're not the only people that looted to my believe there was people from every where that looted Jamaican Tolan Spanish doctor police people from all walk of life not only Jamaican and Spanish are thief u would be suprise to know that every country have looters and thief in time of devastation
  • SHAME (06/10/2017, 05:27) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The day after IRMA we witnessed the small RTW being looted just off main street. A truck full of police drove to the junction at flow and I promptly advised them of the looting. They had no interest in intervening and drove off. It was a total embarrassment. These 'policeman' would provide a better service with a broom in their hands.
  • Scatos get loot too.. (06/10/2017, 06:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cant believe Scato's Fix back that place so quick and ready to go... That was mash up so bad... Money..money moneey.
  • Biggest Looters (06/10/2017, 06:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Commisioner need start first by locking up his officers who were the biggest looters throughout this whole thing which I witnessed with my own 2 eyes. Address the force first before u start locking up the general public.
    • tretretrete (06/10/2017, 15:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hope u provided video proof, pictures or a sworn statement to the police commissioner. If not shut up and stop adding to the hype as u have provided no proof. That goes to everyone else bad talking nationalities and other race. Provide proof or shut up!!
  • Correct (06/10/2017, 09:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes and yes. Commish, not all but, some of your officers were stealing things also. It is so sad and shameful at people's most lowest point. Some people don't have anywhere to live, not enough to eat and for others to prey on that and start looting is just violation.
  • wize up (06/10/2017, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The best thing the police under this commissioner can do, is ask you your name then if you refuse to give them your name body slam up: some of them also stole people's articles you can call it looting however taking anything without the express content of its owner is stealing: we have video and pictures of police officers(law enforcement) stealing BUT it pointless complaining to the police commissioner about his thieving police officers( the video or pictures are there as proof) but time longer than twine....
  • Looter (07/10/2017, 03:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh what a free for all
  • Khori Thomas (07/10/2017, 13:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ eh. In Trinidad and Tobago looters are warned first verbally, then a warning shot and if they fail to comply, they will be shot at without prejudice. In the 1990 Islamic coup attempt a lot of looters died by the guns of our brave soldiers and the police who didn't hide from the terrorists. Result: they were just incinerated. RVIPF is a bunch of jokers, TTPS ain't far behind them in slackness but they get the job done efficiently when it is appointed.

    If a few potshots were fired at looters early o'clock, things would've been normal. Check yourself Mr Matthews. As Commissioner your salary is being earned at the expense of BVIslanders under false pretenses. My advice to you is to resign your post, return to your native land and keep some of your dignity please. Your legacy is not one of great positive renown.


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