BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN what can be termed a heroic act in the line of duty, a police officer early Friday morning (June 22) thwarted the nefarious plot of two McKnight youths after they had broken into Caribe Café at the Sands Complex.
A police press release states that at approximately 3:00 a.m. on that day, Akeem White and Deslia Desuza of Fiennes Avenue, McKnight were caught in the Café with a handbag containing a number of house-breaking equipment.
According to Head of the Criminal Investigation Department Inspector Charles Smithen, a police officer who was on patrol at the time heard when a security alarm was activated in the Sands Complex.
“Upon investigation, the officer realised that the activated security alarm had emanated from the Caribe Café. Disregarding self-safety and honouring his mandate to serve and protect, the officer climbed up the 30-foot concrete wall and found that the entrance to the establishment was breached.
“Applying caution, the officer stealthily entered the building and conducted a meticulous search, which resulted in the find of Akeem White and Deslia Desuza hiding behind a large flower pot.”
The officer apprehended them and a search of their person revealed parts of the security alarm system were in the pocket of one of the building break-in bandits and also a handbag within which were house-breaking equipment.
Further investigations revealed that the two bandits had disabled the security alarm, but not before it was activated for a short while.
They were subsequently arrested and taken to the Basseterre Police Station, where they were charged for the offence.
They both appeared before a City Magistrate from whom Desuza gained her temporary freedom at EC$8 000 with two sureties, while her accomplice was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison and can only be granted bail by the High Court Judge because of a similar offence he committed earlier this year at TechSperts.
Inspector Smithen commended the police officer on his bravery and apprehension of the two bandits and sent out a clarion call for “all officerson or off duty to emulate this brave, conscientious and professional lawman ”.
