Two muggings in one night

| 28/07/2009

(CNS): Police said this morning that detectives from George Town are investigating two robberies which took place overnight. The first saw a man attacked outside his home in South Church Street, in which he sustained a head injury, and in the second a couple were robbed at knife point as they walked in Courts Road. Police said that the two incidents, which took place within around 40 minutes of each other, could be linked and are warning residents to be extra vigilant.

The first attack took place, police said, at around 11.50 last night (Monday, 27 July). A woman called the 911 Emergency Communications Centre reporting that her husband had been attacked outside their home in Cayman Cove, South Church Street. Police responded to the scene and the victim told officers he had been approached by a man who asked if he could borrow a cell phone charger. The victim said that after he offered to lend the man his phone, two other men approached him and he was struck on the head and sustained a laceration for which he was taken to hospital for treatment. The offenders ran from the scene.

The second incident occurred around 12.30am this morning (28 July) as a man and a woman walked in Courts Road. The victims have told police they were approached by three men, one of whom was carrying a knife, who demanded they hand over their possessions. The offenders made off with the woman’s handbag and the man’s wallet and cell phone. Detectives from George Town CID said they are now investigating both incidents and are looking into the possibility that they could be linked.

“People should always put their personal safety first,” said Detective Inspector Kim Evans. “Walk in groups if you can, stay to well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Think about what you might do if you are approached by a stranger who wants to steal from you. Possessions can always be replaced.”

Inspector Evans also asked residents to be wary about answering the door to strangers. “If someone you do not know calls at your home asking to use something or asking for cash, be very wary,” he said. “We recommend that you never let a stranger into your home.”

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact George Town CID on 949-4222 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. ExPatAttorney says:

    "Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/28/2009 – 13:14.

    This island is not a safe place to live anymore! There are safer places in this world I will be looking to move to and I am sure lots will be following."

    Right behind you Anon13:14!  If I’m going to be shot at, I’m going to live in a place where I can shoot back!

    • Anonymous says:

      Whats going on  with GC at the moment! GC used to be one of the safest places in the world. im really shocked with all these muggings. We have always walked the streets of GC without the threat of violence. Why has the last year been nothing but murders, kidnaps and muggings! we live in London and want to get away form all that sort of stuff and coming to GC every year was our saving grace! The RCIP should get tougher

       

  2. Death by Pencil says:

    "For example, the level of force that you can use to defend your life is greater than the force you can use to defend your property…”"

    So if he’s robbing me of my wallet, and I stab him to death with a pencil (rather easy to do if you think about it), is that reasonable?  Inquiring minds want to know!!

    New RCIPS Grads: what say you?

  3. Dennie Warren Jr. says:

    Dear Gun Rights on Tue, 07/28/2009 – 13:33,

     

    Re: “The government needs to start allowing law abiding people to own guns for protection.

     

    Firstly, let’s consider what the RCIPS has to say about self defence (2009), “Self Defense – What is the law? Under the law you are entitled to use reasonable forces in self-defence or to protect another person or your property The force that is reasonable to use in any situation will depend on the threat that you are facing. For example, the level of force that you can use to defend your life is greater than the force you can use to defend your property…”

     

    Secondly, let’s consider what section 18(1)(a) of the Firearm Law (2008 Revision) has to say about self defence by means of firearm: “No person shall discharge any firearm on or within forty yards of any public road or in any public place except- in the lawful protection of his person or property or of the person or property of some other person”

     

    The right to self defence by means of firearms already exists in the Cayman Islands, the RCIPS is just hoping you never learn about your rights…

     

    Thank you CNS for doing a great job in your reporting and for providing this forum where the public may reply to the stories posted.

     

  4. StatsMan says:

    "This comment on the murder ‘rate’ is silly and grandstanding.

    I could tell you my investment increased last year by 500% which sounds amazing, until I say ‘I only invested a penny’."

    If it were only about a penny, I would be happy. 

    2 people have been shot in the last several weeks just a block from my office.  One died, the other is apparently too scared to say who shot him. 

    A guy was previously found in the same place chopped to death and naked, though his killer has just been convicted (not that the victim isn’t still dead).

    West Bay just had a gangland-style multiple shooting/execution a short time ago.

    The clerk in my video story was killed with a machete in the bush not long ago.

    Today’s story is about 2 muggings in the same night, at least one in the "good" part of town.

    Do I need to continue?  Maybe the time would be better spend getting those bars put on the windows.

    You say "We live in one of the safest places on the planet!!!", but I say you are either deluding yourself or trying to hide the violence here from would-be tourists and expat workers.

  5. Death by Pencil says:

    Good job Target!

    Add to the mix that not many criminals will likely have the resources to sue you in civil court if you get it wrong, but don’t try this improperly on the wrong person or you might get some grief for your efforts (i.e. anyone who you have to address as "Your Honour", Bridger you jacka$$).

    I also add that you don’t have to arrest them if they are unconscious.  Enough said.

     

     

     

  6. Marek says:

    This comment on the murder ‘rate’ is silly and grandstanding.

    I could tell you my investment increased last year by 500% which sounds amazing, until I say ‘I only invested a penny’.

    Same thing with our little sandbar. When people say our murder rate is higher than X… any outsider reading that draws a picture of people locked in thier homes with bars on the windows.

    We live in one of the safest places on the planet!!!

     

    Marek

     

     

  7. Anonymous says:

    Praying!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Here we go AGAIN, though this time you are changing your racist rants – normally you are accusing innocent Jamaicans and Filipinos now it is the turn of the Yanks and the Limeys. Give it a break, pot calling kettle black? Come on, are you so shallow that you cannot see that there are good and bad in every culture? Every nationality? Please, for the sake of everyone living in Cayman – grown up!!!!

    Or do you want this racism? Do you want it? You are surely creating it with your bad words. Bad people in all areas, countries, walks of life, get your head out of the sand why don’t you? Wake up!

     

    Rather than spout such remarks about people why not realise that we all need to work together, Cayman was and STILL is a fabulous wonderful SAFE place to call home. Yes I am an expat, I was here through Ivan, I did not leave, even though I was 7 months pregnant with a medical condition, I stayed, I hauled crap day after day, I stood in the burning sun along with everyone eles. Why? I love Cayman. I am not rich here, in fact I would be richer – financially and socially back "home" – but I choose to be here because Cayman has given me so much. I want to return that. So stop with your ignorance and realise that we are all one people.

  9. StatsMan says:

     "Dont mean to be so scarcastic with my response but that truly rubs me the wrong way.  Yes, we are having crime but the important part is: we are still safe.  Am sure that person who calculates our per capita safety rate to new york will make this statement debateable but I cant change that."

    Since you insist… 

    You are absolutely right that you stand a better chance of getting murdered here than in a lot of places you would consider dangerous enough that you would never go to. Even New York City has less than half our murder rate.  Our murder rate is higher than Nicaragua, Haiti, Panama, Mexico, Uganda, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Ethiopia… take a look.  Our 2008 rate is 14.3. Compare that to the list of countries by intentional homicide rate.  The UK (2.03), US (5.8) and Canada (1.8) are all MUCH safer.

    Deluding yourselves that Cayman has no crime problem is childish, though the criminals love it.  It long since went out of your control.

    The War on Crime is over; crime won.  Let’s look at the 2008 statistics report from the cops:

    "...murders and attempted murders have increased dramatically. With seven murders in 2008 compared to three in 2007 and 15 attempted murders last year compared to six in 2007 an increase of more than 133% for both crimes, the police said most of these crimes were connected to licensed premises and the drugs trade."

    "another AK 47 had been found and seized on island last year though it had not been used. In total he said 26 firearms, ranging from handguns to imitation weapons along with various amounts of ammunition had been taken off the streets…"

    "during 2008, 4477 pounds of ganja, approximately 2.2 pounds of cocaine, 4.692 grams of ecstasy, 4.44 grams of hash oil, 2.325 pounds of magic mushrooms and 77 drug utensils were seized and 311 drug arrests were made…"

    "...the incidents of rape also increased this year by more than 28.5% ..."

     

    OK, so there it is... and this does not touch the unreported crimes here of violence against women and children, including sexual offences, which we all know are rampant here.

    Keep posting that there is no crime here.  The criminals love it.

    Carry a big stick too.

     

  10. Anonymous says:

    the funny thing is this population at large blames the cops and expats for everything. i remember a short few weeks ago when a machete yeilding thug was taken down by a couple off duty cops at the red bay gas station and the savages went wild about police brutality because the thug got a broken arm or something.

    now this guy isnt caught, and supposedly it is because of the lenient cops that are lazy and too ‘scared’ to make an arrest. i would be scared to try to make an arrest if i may hurt the machete yielding thug.  the problem with this island is it is full if savages that are unsupportive of its cops. they cant do anything right in the eyes of these people…and who pays is society.

    enjoy our society as it crumbles around you, and keep pointing at the police for our failures : not raising your kids properly, adopting a culture of violence, guns and drugs, accepting broken morality (demonstrate against gay cruise boats while accepting domestic abuse); living a culture where rules mean nothing as everybody thinks they are above them (and accepting it); all coupled with a sense of entitlement that has swept through the younger generation of caymanians.   

    time for cayman to stop pointing at the officers that struggle on our street everyday, and stop blaming the expats for all this as well. unless of course that as you kick them all out, you kick out the ‘expat banks, foreign accounting firms, businesses and money".  then you would see some serious unemployment.

    time for some serious inward reflection. from a concerned caymanian.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Citizens should be able to perform citizens arrests..that way criminals cant escape.

    • target says:

      In response to "Citizens should be able to perform citizens arrests..that way criminals cant escape."

      The Police Law 2006 says:-

      Section 15 of the police law 2006 revision says, "Any private person may arrest any person who in his view (applies to ‘her view persumably) commits an arrestable offence.

      Section 16 says "Persons found committing any offence involving injury to property may be arrested without a warrant by the owner of the property or his employees, or persons authorised by him"

      Section 17 basically says that anyone detained must be handed over to a constable as soon as practicable…

      So, the do powers exist for a ‘citizens arrest’, but my advice would be ‘BE VERRRRRY CAREFUL USING THIS POWER’.

      See? Some of us do know the Law!

      Woof!!

  12. dube says:

     With a population of  about 55000 and 354 police officers they is basically 1 police officer for 141 people and it still aint safe I guess we will need 5000 police  according to some. I have a better solution reduced our population then we won’t need so much police. In regards to Safe that is something you put in your house because it aint safe on the streets.

  13. No-where-ian says:

    We need to start arming ourselves on these islands and I don’t mean with guns and knives.  We have no one to thank for this mess, other than McKeeva Bush and his status actions.  All he has done is open the doors for all those USA and UK rejects, without properly screening them.  Look at our recent Police new recruits, what do you see? the same corrupt cops from our neighbours defense force.  Are we that desperate Cayman??  Why can’t our Police force attract their own? I beg all you residents, please be careful who you let into your homes to do your work, they cannot all be trusted.  Walk with your insect sprays, your homemade pepper bottles, your acids, your hairsprays etc etc   Don’t trust anyone that comes begging or have that hard luck story to tell.  Most of all I beg everyone to continue to Pray for this country, because it is infested with the wrong kind of people. God Bless.

    • Twyla M Vargas says:

      WHY BLAME THE LEADER OF GOVERNMENT?

      In reply to NO WHERE-IAN, we need to start arming.  I dont think we should blame the leader of Goverment business because of these robberies, because we do not know who they are.  They could be Caymanians, or  have you thought they could be persons illegal on the island, with no job and eed to survive.  Suspicious to me.  Everybody is just guessing.  However as I have said before this is just the begining of things to come, no matter who is doing it.   Believe me when I say it will get worse.

      I do not believe someone is going to go from another district to tha area and rob, When these things happen, surprisingly it is right in your back door.  Meaning to say close by.  A staker, watcher and everything that means spied upon.   Yes we have to be careful now., and it is a shame that people cannot go for a walk without being armed.  It that is what it calls for, well so be it.   Protection at any cost.   Some places in Cayman is soft target for criminals, and these residents will have to be more aware of this.  

      If I had to lay blame anywhere, because of thesse crimes I would do so according to what I am hearing on the streets.   If you are not mixing with the Good, bad, and ugly you will not know what is being discussed.  In no uncertain terms "Survival is the name of the game"  Many Caymanians are expressing depression of not having a job, and can not pay their bills.   WHY?   Well all I have  to say is that there are more questions than answers for those responsible for Caymanians being out of a job.   Whom ever you are, please bear in mind that it will get worse unless some of these business places decide to employ Caymanians.   There are many people on work permits here with long criminal records.  They have slipped through the crack.   Some days I wake up and wish we were back in the day when we ate rundown and drank swanky.  I swear it was better then.  Anyway I,ll save my thoughts, its too late.    Spend more time embracing friends and family.  Visit them, or call them up often, because as I see it now that is all we have left, so please treat them well.   Walk good..

  14. Thankful says:

    CNN I have sent in a posting that you did not post.  Is there a reason for this?

    CNS: Sorry – I just didn’t get the opportunity to go through the comments this afternoon. Your comment is posted.

    CNN????!!!!

  15. Anonymous says:

    It is so sad what’s happening on this island. I am a born and bred Caymanian and am so afraid to be out at night and things are only going to get worse. Too many people out of jobs and more to come. Something drastic needs to be done. To start with GET OUR UNEMPLOYED CAYMANIANS JOBS. Send those expats that don’t need to be here back home. For example, Why do we have expat Secretaries, expat Real Estate Agents with so many willing Caymanians to fill those posts? Get to work UDP!!

  16. Anonymous says:

    No need to get hysterical Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/28/2009 – 13:14 it’s not quite all out anarchy yet. I can’t think of too many places with a much lower crime rate, all the caribbean islands have seen rocketing crime in recent years as have a lot of countries around the world.

    Part of the reason why violent crime is increasing is that the criminals know the police are not interested as they just want to persecute drivers for paying their licence late or going 2mph over the limit. The sentences if they are caught are very lenient, especially if theyhave family on the island that know people. Often it is the victims that are treated as criminals expecially if they use reasonable force.

  17. Anonymous says:

    This island is not a safe place to live anymore! There are safer places in this world I will be looking to move to and I am sure lots will be following.

    • Thankful says:

      This island is not a safe place to live anymore! There are safer places in this world I will be looking to move to and I am sure lots will be following.

      where?  let me guess London?  Maybe New York?  Oh no – Kingston?  oops – Hondoras?  Oh boy – Atlanta?  Yup – Rio…okay just kidding – ANTARTICA!! yup no crime there – tell me how the sea lions doing ya here.

      Dont mean to be so scarcastic with my response but that truly rubs me the wrong way.  Yes, we are having crime but the important part is: we are still safe.  Am sure that person who calculates our per capita safety rate to new york will make this statement debateable but I cant change that.

      Our focus, as a community, must be the relentless approach of hard-nose push to catch these criminals!  I am not convinced that tehy are all locals.  Now dont dare turn this into a local vs expat thing…but something is off here.  I also would suggest that given courts road proximity to a known drugs area (if caymanian) is likely to be an opportunist.

      Sadden by our approach to solve.  Keep positive and stay strong and believe that we can all make a difference, if we each do our part.

    • Anonymous says:

      Really, could you maybe list some of these safer places?  Unless you are moving to Little Cayman (or some other under developed country) you will have to face crime no matter where you go.  Yes, Cayman is changing but moving is not the answer.

    • Gun Rights says:

      The government needs to start allowing law abiding people to own guns for protection. The criminals have them, why dont we make it a fair fight for once.

    • Sam Puk-Puk says:

      So when are you leaving? What brought you here? It is still one of the safest places to live, you know and so do others. Underhand threats like yours are silly. I don’t like it anymore than the next person so either be proactive instead of reactive with your comments (ie. I’m leaving, I don’t like it anymore. Thanks for the money). Have a good flight to Utopia.

      “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying?” – Megadeth

      |SPP

    • Anonymous says:

      While you are packing gather up the criminals and take them with you. Like you they are probably imported.

  18. Anonymous says:

    There are no lights on Courts Road after 7pm. It is soooo dark. Perfect enviroment for robberies.

  19. A Concerned Caymanian says:

    Cayman Needs a Real Task Force!!!!

    Not some! so Called PoliceMen  out to have fun.!!!!!

     

     

  20. Death by Pencil says:

    "“People should always put their personal safety first,” said Detective Inspector Kim Evans. “Walk in groups if you can, stay to well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Think about what you might to if you are approached by a stranger who wants to steal from you."

     

    Frankly, beating them to death is the first thing that comes to mind.  Probably not what the cops have in mind though…  We’re not all passive victims, willing to abandon self-defence. It is true that possessions can always be replaced, but breaking the arms of a would-be thief has a certain valuable deterrence effect as well.  Plus it’s more satisfying than being a victim.