BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POLICE have made a breakthrough this morning (Nov. 16) in Sunday’s gunpoint robbery of 17 tourists at Brimstone Hill with the arrest of four persons in the Sandy Point area.
According to a police press release, a number of joint operations by members the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force were mounted early this morning in the Sandy Point, where searches were conducted on homes, persons and vehicles.
“Consequently, four persons of interest to the police in relation to the robbery were arrested and a number of items were taken into police custody,” the release states.
It further states that the police wish to inform the general public that investigations are continuing vigorously into the unprecedented and unfortunate incident.
The release also states that the High Command of the Security Forces had consultations with the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Tourism and a number of stakeholders, and a holistic action plan was established to tackle the continuing investigations into the dastardly act, which is deeply regretted.
“The action plan involves the establishment of a special investigative task force to investigate this incident and increased tactical patrols and uniform police presence in the tourism concentrated areas and others areas deemed vulnerable. The High Command wish to thank all who gave invaluable information and crave for their continued support in dealing with this unprecedented act,” it added.
At about 11:15 a.m. on Sunday (Nov. 14), 17 tourists (including a baby) aboard a coaster tour bus were robbed of an undisclosed sum of money, jewellery, cellular phones and other personal items while on their way to visit the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.
The police had sent out a press release later that afternoon, which stated that the tour bus robbery was an unprecedented incident in St. Kitts, where visitor safely is of highest priority.
It also noted, “Last year, over five hundred thousand cruise passengers safely disembarked in St. Kitts to enjoy the many attractions of our island. We deeply regret any type of incident that might tarnish our visitors’ experience. As law enforcement authorities, we are committed to root out and expose the persons responsible.”
