BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Violent Crimes Unit of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force continues to score points by cracking three more high profile cases – two murders and two attempted murder.
Reports emanating from the Force’s Public Relations Department state that diligent investigations by detectives led to the solving of two cold cases and a recent incident of attempted murder.
One of the attempted murder incidents took place at The Alley in Sandy Point on Thursday (Dec. 17).
According to the police, initial investigations revealed that an unknown assailant, dressed in black clothing, had fired a number of shots at 29-year-old Jermain Browne while he was entering the yard of his home in The Alley. One of the bullets struck him in the arm and he was treated at the Pogson Hospital, from where he was later transferred to the JNF General Hospital for further treatment.
Since then, investigations led to the arrest and charge of Nigel Phillips, who is also known as Abkim Bryant, of Cleverly Hill, Sandy Point.
He was charged on Sunday (Dec. 20) with the attempted murder of Browne and also for allegedly discharging a firearm in a public place.
This publication learnt that he is still in police custody pending bail application.
The two cold cases involve Sylvester Harris of Conaree Village and Kevon Hamilton of St. Paul’s Village.
Both of them were charged on Monday (Dec. 21).
Harris was charged with the murder of Livingston Moore and the attempted murder of Shawn ‘Five Pack’ Rogers, which occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2015 while they were seated in the car of the deceased in Conaree.
And Hamilton was charged with the murder of Ernest ‘Gray Patch’ Hendricks of Palmetto Point who, while working in his bakery in the wee hours of June 24, 2015 was shot in the abdomen during a robbery.
Hendricks was rushed to the JNF General Hospital by his son, where he was treated but succumbed to his injury on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.
Prior to the murder charges, both men are said to have been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison for gun-related offences.
A police communiqué quoted head of the Violent Crimes Unit, Detective Superintendent Andre Mitchell as saying: “I want to thank the public for their information, general cooperation and the patience demonstrated during the investigations. I would also like to assure the public at large, and specifically those persons who have lost loved ones as a result of any criminal activities, that the police will not relent or tire in our effort to bring justice to those who, through their actions of wrong doing, have caused pain to their fellow citizens and residents.”
Mitchell also thanked the members of his Unit for the tremendous effort they placed in investigating the three incidents, noting that “your vigilance and dedication are well noted”.
His sentiments were echoed by Ian Queeley, the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for crime.
“I applaud the efforts of our VCU detectives. They are progressively building up excellent investigation methods and remain steadfast in bringing to justice those who inflict such violence on our communities. Today, their efforts and those of the whole Police Force have led to charges against three dangerous criminals who are all behind bars; and this could not have been done without the support of the community. I encourage you to continue to come forward and provide the information that is so essential in this fight against crime.”
ACP Queeley is also encouraging members of the public to call any police station in the Federation with any information they may have with regards to crime and criminal activity. “You can also call Crime Stoppers, the anonymous hotline, at 1-800-8477(TIPS) to share any information. Let's do this together”.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S NOTE: Mug shots of the accused men will be posted as soon as the police release them.
