An attempted break-in at Meyers Estate and gunfire in Baughers Bay last week were added to a string of serious crimes across Tortola in recent weeks.
Both incidents, which involved masked men and suspected firearm use, took place on Oct. 7, police said in a press release issued two days later.
“Shortly after 11 a.m., officers on patrol in the Meyers Estate area were alerted by a female resident to an attempted break-in at her home,” the release stated. “A male suspect, reportedly wearing a mask, fled the scene on a scooter when confronted. Officers immediately gave chase. However, during the pursuit, the suspect brandished what appeared to be a firearm before escaping from the area.”
No one was injured, and detectives are pursuing leads including CCTV footage in hopes of identifying and arresting a suspect, police said last Thursday.
They didn’t provide a description of the suspect or any other information.
Gunfire reported
That night, at about 11:40 p.m., police responded to reports of gunfire in the Baughers Bay area.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that four masked men arrived on two scooters, and one of the individuals discharged a firearm before fleeing the scene,” the release stated. “At this stage, there is no indication of the intended target, and no injuries have been reported.”
Officers, who recovered spent shell casings from the scene, have upped patrols in the area as they investigate, police said.
They didn’t provide a physical description of the four men or any other information.
Mount Healthy
In a separate press release provided to the Beacon last Thursday after several requests, police said they were also investigating an armed robbery at a bar in the Mount Healthy area on the evening of Sept. 25.
“Preliminary reports indicate that a group of men was at the establishment when three masked individuals arrived and brandished what appeared to be firearms,” the release stated. “The assailants reportedly robbed patrons of jewellery and cash before fleeing the scene.”
Police, who did not name the bar or describe the masked individuals, said a shot was fired during the incident but no spent shell casing was recovered.
“The vehicle believed to have been used in the robbery was later recovered in the Free Bottom area,” the release stated. “The same vehicle was also previously reported stolen during a robbery at Long Bay Beach, Beef Island, on Sept. 24.”
Police did not provide a description of the car.
The press release provided to the Beacon, which apparently was not circulated widely to other media, was the police’s first public announcement of the Mount Healthy incident.
Public appeal
Acting Police Commissioner Jacqueline Vanterpool said police are thankful no one was hurt in the incidents last week and reaffirmed her force’s commitment to protecting the public.
“Those who choose to endanger our communities with violence should know that we will pursue every lead and every piece of evidence until justice is served,” she said.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or may have information that could assist the investigations to contact their Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-8477 (TIPS).