BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – BREAK-INS continue to pose one of the biggest problems for citizens and security forces of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, as several of them are taking place on a weekly basis.
Last week proved not to be the exception and the police have reported that they received reports of six break-ins to both businesses and residences on St. Kitts.
An elderly resident suffered violence at the hands of a brigand who broke into his home with the intent of pilfering. This incident of pillaging, according to a police press release, took place on August 17 at about 5:30 in the evening and left the victim hospitalised.
“An unknown person entered the house of an elderly Paradise Road resident and demanded money from him. The intruder, who entered the house through a closed but unlocked door, beat the elderly man with a stick and struck him in his head with a concrete block before fleeing the scene. The Ambulance was summoned to the scene and transported the man to the JNF Hospital where he was treated and kept.” The release however, did not indicate whether or not the thief made off with any cash.
Police officials indicate that another break-in took place on August 14 at the St. Kitts Motor Cycle Rental, located on the Bay Road, Newtown. The release stated that 40 car tyres were stolen from that establishment in addition to “two Honda motor cycles RA 441 and RA437, a number of scooter batteries (and) helmets”.
On the same day, according to investigations, the home of a Wilkin Street resident was broken into after it was left secured and unoccupied the night before. The police inform that “entry was gained through a push up window that was left opened” and a laptop was removed from the house.
An unidentified number of individuals was able to gain access to a Timothy Resort villa sometime between midnight and 6:00 a.m. on August 15, looting cell phones, snorkeling gear, a blender, a desk lamp among others things in the process. Police explained that the individual(s) gained access to the villa by way of “a window that was closed but not secured”.
The PAM Constituency Office located in Old Road was also targeted by bandits; however, nothing was stolen from the property.
“At about 8:00 a.m. on August 17th the PAM Constituency Office in Old Road was discovered broken into. Investigations revealed that an intruder gained entry through a back door and attempted unsuccessfully the open an inner office door. Nothing was reported missing. Investigations are ongoing.”
In light of the current state of affairs, “the Police are again appealing to house holders and businesses to pay attention to the security of your premises”.
The public is reminded that stolen items “are usually converted into cash” and should therefore “be on the lookout for persons selling valuable items at low prices and to immediately report any such attempt to the nearest police station”.
