Confusion in Fort Street
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| The vehicle in which the mother of the child, a police officer and two other individuals were taken away from the scene in front of Dominoes on Fort Street |
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A lad, said to be about 13 years of age, was whisked away to the Basseterre Police Station following an incident that occurred on Basseterre’s main thoroughfare, Fort Street; an incident which, according to eyewitness accounts, occurred between the teenager, his mother and a male adult.
A crowd converged on Fort Street to the front of ‘Domino's’ when a man and a woman were involved in a mêlée with a child at the centre of the incident.
When SKNVibes arrived on the scene, it was observed that the woman, who is said to be the mother of the child, a police officer and two other individuals were being taken away from the area in what appeared to be a privately-owned vehicle.
After being informed that popular steel pan player and teacher, Melvin ‘Melly’ Hewlett, was involved in the incident, SKNVibes contacted him to determine the reason for and results of the fracas.
Hewlett said the commotion on Fort Street was a result of a number of break-in incidents at his home, which he noted were committed by the child.
He said someone had broken into his home on Monday, March 3 and stole a number of pens. On the following day, his home was again broken into and the perpetrator removed approximately EC$50 in coins, a Play Station and a quantity of games.
He also said that two days later, Thursday, the individual attempted to break into the house again but did not know someone was inside awaiting his entrance. The perpetrator, however, reportedly fled the scene when one of Hewlett’s neighbours was passing the area and saw him illegally entering the house. ~~Adz:Right~~
“A friend of mine was staying at the house and he, after the boy tried to break into the house again, went to look for him because we had an idea who he was. My friend found him and called me, and when I arrived the boy denied that he was involved in this thing. He eventually confessed and I told him that I wanted my things back. So we went to his house but there was no one there.”
Hewlett said the saga continued as they journeyed to RAMS where the boy’s mother works, but they were told that she was at lunch. He secured her cellular phone number and after calling her it was established that she was in the TDC Mall. All parties involved met there but, according to Hewlett’s account of the incident, talks were not as fruitful as he hoped.
He said the situation escalated when the mother of the child refused to return the items which were stolen from his house. It was then, he said, that he held on to the child and declared that he was going to the Basseterre Police Station to lodge a complaint.
“I told her all I wanted was my $50, my child’s Play Station and the other stuff. She was still not cooperating…even after the boy confessed that he had broken into the house and taken the stuff, she was not cooperating. So I grabbed her child’s hand and told her that I am going to the police station. She protested but I meant that I was not going to let go of his hand until the police arrived.”
When asked what course of action he wished to take in relation to the incidents, Hewlett said, “I am not going to press any charges. All I wanted was my things back and I got back everything except one game, and the police said that they will get that back as well. When I get it, he will be released.”
Although the entire incident has proven disturbing, Hewlett said what was most troubling is the fact that the boy is a friend of his son; a boy whom he has welcomed into his home time and time again.
Following the incident, SKNVibes remained on Fort Street to note the comments of eyewitnesses, who for the most part, expressed their disappointment in the mother’s lack of concern and her defence of her son, whom they believe committed the criminal acts and should be punished in accordance.
The boy is said to be from the St. Johnston’s Village area.
