BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EUSTACE EDWARDS of Saddler’s Village will know his fate tomorrow (Mar. 6) when he appears before a City Magistrate for picking the pocket of a tourist at Port Zante.
According to Inspector Charles Smithen, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Friday (Mar. 2) shortly after a female tourist had purchased a number of items from a vendor at the Craft Market at Port Zante.
“At about 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2, a tourist who had purchased some items from a local vendor at the Craft Market at Port Zante, received her US$15 change and placed it her pocket.
“Eustace Edwards of Saddler’s Village put his hand into the tourist’s pocket and pulled out the US$15 and set off running. Some members of the public who had witnessed the incident were enraged and set chase after Edwards. However, while chasing him, they summoned the CID, whose members immediately responded and, with information provided by the public, joined in the chase apprehended him in the vicinity of Irishtown,” Inspector Smithen said.
He noted that the money was recovered from Edwards’ person and he was arrested and charged with larceny from the person.
“After charging Edwards, he was immediately taken to the court where he pleaded guilty and was remanded to prison. He will be sentenced on Tuesday, March 6, 2012.
“On behalf of the Commissioner and ranks of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the public for the invaluable assistance they provided in the speedily apprehension of Edwards, as together we fight against crime and make the Federation a safer place for both residents of and visitors to our shores,” he added.
In recent times, it was observed that members of the public have abandoned their non-cooperative mode and are now in sync with the police in their fight against crime, by not only physically assisting in the apprehension of criminals, as in Edwards’ case, but also by providing valuable information to the primary law enforcement agency.
