Eight to appear before court for PI tomorrow
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER months of successful evasion, Curtis Long was captured by police operatives earlier today (Aug. 3) and charged in connection with the notorious tourist-robbery incident and another robbery that took place at the former TDC Sandy Point Branch.
Long, a Sandy Pointer, has been on the run since November, 2010, having been identified by the authorities as one of the individuals who at gunpoint robbed 17 tourists.
That incident transpired on November 14 and, according to information gathered by this media house, the tourists (including an infant) were aboard a coaster bus travelling along the road that leads to the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park when the driver of the vehicle observed a blockade.
He reportedly exited the vehicle to investigate when a number of masked individuals launched their attack, relieving the passengers of their money along with electronic and other personal items.
Since then, some seven individuals were arrested and charged with the 16 counts of robbery, while a manhunt was launched for Long.
According to a press release issued by the Acting Police Press and Public Relations Officer, SGT Stephen Hector, Long’s arrest took place today (Aug. 4) and came as a result of “continuous information sharing and analysis with the police and the community”.
“…Curtis Long (26) of Sandy Point - one of the Federation’s most wanted, was extracted from a house at Sandy Point during police operations. Long was today also charged with 16 warrants in the first instance for offences committed during the robbery at Brimstone Hill.”
The communiqué also informs that the captured man was charged in connection with the October 29, 2010 robbery of the Sandy Point Branch of TDC.
SGT Hector informed that the eight accused men are expected to appear before the court at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex, “where judicial proceedings will commence at the preliminary inquiry”.
All individuals who assisted in any form in the capture of Long, according to the release, were thanked by Commissioner of Police Austin Williams for their invaluable support.
Tomorrow, Curtis Long will appear at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial Complex along with the seven others - Delvin ‘Sobie’ Francis of St. Pauls, George ‘Naddy’ Welsh of Sandy Point, Junior ‘Q’ Sabratie, Devon ‘X-Man’ Hodge, Administon 'LB' Lewis, Elroy ‘Stanny’ Williams and Grenville ‘Rogie’ Rogers – “where judicial proceedings will commence at the Preliminary Inquiry”.
