Woman attacked by intruder

| 30/06/2009

(CNS): A 26-year-old woman was attacked in her home in West Bay during the early hours this morning (Tuesday 30 June). Police said the woman was seriously shaken and left with minor injuries after she awoke at around 4:10am to find an unknown assailant in her home in Boggy Sands Road holding something in his hand that she thought could have been a gun. The woman managed to escape from the intruder and police are now appealing for witnesses. The attacker has been described as a dark, tall man of stout build who was wearing short pants.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) said it has now started an investigation into the attack. “We are working hard to identify this man and are following up a number of leads. We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident who may have seen this man before or after the attack. Did you see someone running from the area? If you did, please get in touch,” said Detective Sergeant Colin Oremule.

Following a call to the 911 Emergency Communications Centre from a resident of Boggy Sands Road, West Bay, reporting that a neighbour had been attacked, police responded to the scene.

Officers found that the victim had been attacked in her home by an unknown assailant. The lady has told police that she was asleep on the sofa when she awoke to find a man in the room. She said the man was holding something covered in his hand, which she thought might have been a gun. He said if she did what she was told and did not scream she would not be hurt. Fortunately, the woman was able to break free from the man and make her escape from the house. She ran to a neighbour’s property to raise the alarm, injuring her arm and ankle in the process. Police carried out a full area search but the offender was not located.

Scenes of crime officers processed the scene and it is believed the offender gained entry through an insecure door. Detectives from West Bay CID are investigating the incident and are following up a number of leads. A cell phone was taken from the premises which has since been recovered.

Area Commander, Chief Inspector Angelique Howell commented that this was a very frightening situation for the victim and no resident should ever have to go through such an experience. “This was a hugely traumatic experience for the victim and we are making sure that counselling is available should she want it,” she said. “These types of incidents really highlight how important it is to have safety at the forefront of our minds.”

Residents are reminded to keep homes and vehicles secure, be aware of their surroundings at all times and report suspicious activity to police or Crime Stoppers. Chief Inspector Howell said that anyone concerned about their safety or anyone who would like securityadvice is welcome to contact her at the West Bay police station on 949- 3999.

Anyone with information about crime taking place in the Cayman Islands should contact their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

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  1. anonymous says:

    This where the UDP Govt need focus their attention……on the outrageous crime in this Country and particularly in ‘their’ district, instead they are focused on the PPM! Crime is on the increase – this is now the fault of the UDP and they must take responsibility because they sure as hell blamed it all on the PPM when they were the Government.  But we not see anything yet….wait till the UDP finish with all their ‘inward investment’ projects and the tons of jobs they will be creating for ‘imports’ (oh, meant to say ‘Caymanians’)….ya want see a mess!

    • anonymous says:

      For the love of God please keep politics out of this.  On one hand it was PPM causing all the trouble, on the other it is now the UDP.

       

  2. Anonymous says:

    Pastor Bucket,

    I am an expat – and I don’t really agree with the original posters senitments (particularly about Caymanians willing to work – IMO the main reason that there are a lot of expats here is the unwillingness of some caymanians to work in certain roles)

    But I don’ t think it was racist. By leaping on it and denouncing it as such, you are the one who are propogating the "us and them" mentality.

    • Makam says:

      In reply to Pator Bucket.

      I am a "small" employer. I will gladly employ a Caymanian who is willing to work! In fact the majority of my employees are Caymanian. However I have been let down 1000 times more by Caymanian employees than Expats!!

      What I cannot understand is why anyone (please note I said ANYONE) with half a brain can not see that if an employer can find a Caymanian to employ with out the hassle and considerable cost involved in employing an expat why chose the expat.

      You complain about expats taking Caymanian’s jobs, have you ever considered that it might be because the expat makes a better employee.

      All I hear are stories of Expats being paid more, and in the same breadth we (employers) use expats because we can get them to work for wages a Caymanian will not work for. I hear complaints about expats living in crowded conditions that Caymanians will not put up with, but who are the landlords? In the majority of cases Caymanians! I hear complaints that we no longer control the land as it was all bought by foreigners, but was it not Caymanians who sold it in the first place!

      Caymanians stop your whining, stop blaming expats for your lack of success. It is easy to blame someone else for your OWN failure.

       

      • LB says:

        "I will gladly employ a Caymanian who is willing to work! "

        This may be the answer to my prayers. I am a very hard-working, honest Caymanian who is extremely willing to work.  What is your line of business? I am looking for a good job. My knowledge and experience is in office management/administration. I posses excellent reading/writing and inter-personal skills. Excellent knowledge of the labour/pension and insurance laws and general knowledge of the history of the Cayman Islands, its people and culture.

        Please let me know if you may be interested in hiring me. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you. 

        CNS: Perhaps you could submit an ad in the CNS Classifieds (link on main menu) in either the jobs category or the resume, or both. It’s free to post personal ads.

  3. mdu says:

    I agree with you Lebbie,I have lived in the same are as you for the past 15years and still leave windows and doors open. with no fear. It is unfortunate that repeat offenders are being released in to OUR COMMUNITY..not only West Bay, putting EVERYONE a risk without having been fully evaluated in regards to their rehabilitation, without having been able to secure a home and a job and continued monitoring by the proper departments to ensure tha they are coping with a new way of life.Otherwise, they are left to do what they know best. RE-OFFEND.

  4. anoin says:

    The poverty occurs for many reasons, let me give you a common one.

    I know a lady who was brought over to Cayman as a domestic helper, when se arrived she was told she has to pay for her work permit herself, she also has to pay all of her medical insurance.

    She only has work at the weekends, not what was promised and she has yet to be paid by her Permit holder as he refuses as he holds her permit and tells her to find work else to get money.

    Now guess the nationanilty of her permit holder and he also constantly complains about expats causing all the crime.

    What can she do? complain to the authorities? how many expats have tried that with the result of nothing happening but getting deported. Just give up and go home out of pocket for the money she has paid to get here and for her permit.

    It’s no small wonder that crime is on the increase is it and if you want to see the reason all most people have to do is look in the mirror.

  5. Richard Wadd says:

     Let’s here it for the "Bleeding-hearts’ who would rather NOT bring back the WHIP as a form of punishment / deterent for these types of crime.

    Raise ‘three cheers’ for Human Rights for Criminals  …… the Cost? The rights of the Victims … US !

    Let us put the "Fear-of-GOD" back into these Criminals, so that the Law-abiding and Innocent can live without Fear and Paranoia.

    Bring back the Cayman of old.

    BRING BACK THE WHIP !!

    • anonymous says:

      Mr. Wadd, I agree with you 100%.  I also wish to say that if they would bring back the belt into school, not only in Cayman but all countries, maybe we would have less cases of drugs, robberies etc on the island.  I am not saying that kids should be beaten at will or at the whim of a teacher but to have someone who is trustworthy (and believe me there are still a couple of teachers in each of the schools who are deemed worthy of this position) to adminster this punishment.  I know a lot of the trouble can be stopped by parents but some children are just stubborn and short of stripping the skin off them, there are many other ways of getting through to them. 

       

      To heck with Spare the rod and spoil the child, we have a lot of adults who should still be strapped on account of their behaviour.  Caymanis becoming too americanised and letting these little ones fall through the cracks.

       

      Thanks

      • Anon says:

        All these comments about politics and ex-pat/caymanian/people bashing in general in every single news report needs to stop – more often than not (as is the case here) these comments are totally off-topic and do nothing except detract discussions from the real and very serious issue at hand.

        Everybody seems to want to arm up the police.  The more police carry guns, the more criminals carry guns – a well documented fact worldwide.

        However, what strikes me as completely absured is to have only one armed unit based in George Town – that makes no sense at all.  What we need is a few highly disciplined and trained armed officers responsible for each district.  Secure gun cabinets should be located at each district station where police weapons should be safely stored when not in use.  That way, when an incident occurs, regardless of location, the chances are thatthere will be an armed response unit in the district and able to assist promptly.

        Most of the police in England work unarmed, although there are armed units for each borough.  Cayman is a very small (76 square miles) with roughly 1 officer for every 148 people – compare that to 1 officer for every 430 people in England (94,251 square miles).  If the police in England can (as a general rule) manage without guns then I am sure we can do the same thing here and with implementation of armed units for each district, I am sure this would in itself lead to more effective policing of such crimes.

         

  6. Antie Raciste says:

    Hmm, a question to the Bigot

     

    Q: so who do the expats buy drugs from?

    A: LOCALS!

    • Anonymous says:

      Excuse me – I think thou art the pot calling the kettle black.

      Your comment is far more racist than the one you are immaturely replying to.

      As far as I could tell, the person who said he or she missed the Cayman of yesteryear did not lay blame on any one or any nationality.

      Are you only anti-racist when it comes to nationalities OTHER than Caymanians?

      Shame on you.

       

    • Joseph (Lebbie) Yates says:

      To Antie Raciste, what drug are you on? do you see the word expats or LOCALS in my post? maybe you need to clear your head and read my post again, its you who seem like a Bigot.

      • pastor bucket says:

        "Yes – a place where Caymanians who were able and willing to work were preferred in employment opportunities to foreigners. A place where if you were an expatriate and used drugs, or could not support yourself, you had to leave. A place where laws were enforced. A place that worked. A place I miss."

         

        This is your post right? – it says caymanians (sorry not LOCALS – "forgive" me!) & expats – whats your point? Come on…defend your hijacking of a tragic event for spouting racist BS which is IRRELEVANT and unhelpful to this matter

         

         

         

    • anonymous says:

      Excuuuuusssse me.  Why in the world does everyone think that only locals sell drugs, or are you considering everyone local because they live here.  If that is the case then who in the world are the expats.  Not only Locals and I assume you are talking about Caymanians sell drugs.  I don’t use but know a whole lot who do and who sell them and not all are Caymanian.  Get your facts straight.

       

  7. Caymanite says:

    I am leaving. I would rather take my chances in Manchester England than West Bay Cayman.

    At least over there the police respond on time and aren’t related to half the people you are complaining about.

    Sorry but that is the way I feel, I have a daughter to protect and the sunshine just doesn’t make me feel any better.

  8. Anonymous says:

    "Isn’t this the place where 20 years ago no-one had to lock their doors?" – Yes – a place where Caymanians who were able and willing to work were preferred in employment opportunities to foreigners. A place where if you were an expatriate and used drugs, or could not support yourself, you had to leave. A place where laws were enforced. A place that worked. A place I miss. 

    • pastor bucket says:

      So only "foreigners" break into places & attack women?

      How intelligent that you take this awful event as an opportunity to spout Xenophobic hate about expats, Caymanian jobs etc

      Did you choose to be born here?

       

       

       

      • Joseph (Lebbie) Yates says:

        Don’t know if pastor bucket is your real name or did you have a bucket over your head while reading my post? I have nothing in my there concerning foreigners, expats, Caymanians. Its you and the previous post that are spreading Xenophobic hate, take the bucket of your head and read my post again…pastor bucket. 

  9. Anonymous says:

    I’m not surprised by this as I walk down that road nightly and I have come across the odor of mens cologne and not being able to see anyone, I  felt that the person was hiding and waiting for opportunites. It is a isolated road and for the most part well lit but near the end it is very dark. Police need more of a presense on the seawall in that area as many kids are hanging out drinking,partying and smoking dope. They should shut down the road running along the wall, cut back the bushes and get better lighting. West Bay has become a dangerous place to live!

    • Joseph (Lebbie) Yates says:

      To anyone saying that West Bay has become a dangerous place to live, that is a very narrow minded statement, Cayman in general has become a very pathetic place to livebecause of all the drug addicts who will do anything to get their 24/7 crack-cocaine, also the rapid rise in population, and a sector of that population are repeat offenders of various crimes and have been to prison numerous times, and are now on the streets hopeless and jobless, now they have no choice but to continue the same trend, they are the ones that will torture Cayman society, because the system have jail them over and over again but have not recycle them to become part of our productive society.

      I have been living in West Bay for many many years, and I currently live off Mount Pleasant Rd and I still leave my windows open, and my doors unlock when I leave home to run errands in West Bay, in fact I leave my door half open all night and put my fan by the opening to suck in the cool air from outside to keep us cool while we sleep, I been doing this for the pass three years without incident or fear, in fact my Grandmother was living in the same house for all her life until she died without incident, and the same applies to my Aunt who also lived in the same house alone, until she died without any incident. So STOP bashing West Bay as if this district is too dangerous to live.

      If all drug addicts and repeat offenders were off the streets we would see much less crime, We (including the police) know most or all the drug addicts and repeat offenders in Cayman, yet they are roaming the streets committing crimes and instilling fear in women, and the district of West Bay.       

  10. Anonymous says:

    tall dark stout man wearing short pants – well that narrows it down doesn’t it.  This is the beginning of the end – Cayman is going the way of everywhere – we can’t sleep in our beds (or sofas) for fear of attacks and burglaries.  Isn’t this the place where 20 years ago no-one had to lock their doors?

    • Anonymous says:

      "Isn’t this the place where 20 years ago no-one had to lock their doors?" – Yes – a place where Caymanians who were able and willing to work were preferred in employment opportunities to foreigners. A place where if you were an expatriate and used drugs, or could not support yourself, you had to leave. A place where laws were enforced. A place that worked. A place I miss." …this is nothing to do with being anti expat or suggesting Caymanians do notcommit serious crimes. All the writer is suggesting is that there are 2 primary causes of crime, drugs and unemployment/poverty. Sometimes both go together.

      In the Caman of old if a Caymanian had a drug problem they were arrested and watched. Treatment was not as available as it should have been but at least the individuals whereabouts were monitored. If an expat was found to be involved in drugs he was arrested and deported – so a large portion – but by no means all – of the problem was removed. Today we even have open discussions of professional expatriates involved in Cocaine use as we renew their permits. Standards have decreased – and should be maintained accross the board.

      Caymanians who were willing to work worked. They were not forced into poverty in the way some are today because of a failure to assure them of opportunity. Yes there are and always have been persons who are no good who are Caymanian – but the Caymanians on the edge could be and were saved by productive employment and hope in the future.

      Bring that back and we will be fine