Cops round up shooters

| 27/03/2010

(CNS): In the wake of a yet another frightening escalation of violent crime in West Bay this week, the police said they have now arrested three men in connection with the murders of Alrick Peddie and Damion Ming. Following what an RCIPS spokesperson said was an “intensive police operation” in the West Bay area this afternoon, Friday 26 March, the men have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Officers from the RCIPS conducted a number of armed raids and rounded up the suspects in the West Bay area in which several houses were raided and searched. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)

Police arrested a 17-year-old man and a 35-year-old man in relation to the death of Alrick Peddie, who was shot and killed in West Bay on Wednesday, 24 March, on Willie Farrington Drive, and they also arrested a 29-year-old man in relation to the death of Damion Ming, who was gunned down in the Birch Tree Hill Lane area of West Bay last night, Thursday 25 March.

During a police press conference on Wednesday afternoon Police Commissioner David Baines appealed to the community once again to assist the police and revealed a new confidential help line. He said this is being manned by hand-picked officers that the community can have the utmost confidence in. He vowed that the line (949-7777) was completely secure.

During the conference Baines made it clear that the police were well aware of the key players involved inthis escalating tit-for-tat gang violence but without evidence it was proving difficult to bring charges against what he called mindless thugs. He said the shootings were nothing more than gangs picking one from each rival group in revenge for the previous killings, causing the dangerous escalation in violence. He explained that the rivalry was between gangs with changing affiliations, but at present the disputes existed between two different West Bay gangs, as well as ones in George Town.

“We know who is responsible,” Baines said, but he explained the difficulty was securing evidence. He said his officers were on top of the gang members day and night when they were not in custody and they would continue to do this, but the community had to help. “The most direct way for us to bring charges is through eyewitness testimony,” Baines added.

The senior cop said the RCIPS would be utilising the gang legislation which has been on the statute books for some five years, but has so far never been used to bring in suspects until sufficient evidence could be found to bring charges against the triggermen for murder and attempted murder.

He said the RCIPS would also be prosecuting the victims and witnesses involved in the tit-for-tat violence who gave false statements or obstructed the police in their investigations. Above all he called on the mothers, girlfriends and family members of the gang members to reveal where the guns were, who was doing the shooting and who was planning another killing.

“These crimes do not happen in a vacuum; people know about these incidents,” he pleaded, asking them to come forward and stop the cycle of violence.

Police enquiries into both murders are actively ongoing and anyone who has any information is asked to contact West Bay police station on 949-3999, or this new RCIPS confidential tip line 949-7777.

Police say they have also charged three other men with attempted murder in connection with a recent shooting in George Town. See Police hunt 3rd GT gunman.

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  1. Anonymous/YEF!!!! says:

    Great JOB, RCIPS!

    Keep the presure on and soon we will have all these PUNKS off the streets of Cayman. Remember to dot every( i) and cross every (t) in these investigations to ensure that these "FOBS" are convicted and serve a very, very long prison sentence.

    It’s too bad that Cayman don’t send criminals to Jamaica anymore, like they used to do years ago, there they will get the punishment that they deserve…………Northward is not the place for them, (too many luxuries.)

    I’m very happy that these are in custody………….but there’s still more to go. So all you family members, friends and aquaintances that are harbouring these criminals, know their where abouts and have information on what’s going down, PLEASE do the right thing, come forward and help RCIPS finish the JOB! You know who you are!

    I’m rooting for tou RCIPS all the way!

     

     

  2. Anonymous says:

    For all who think West Bay is one street with everyone living on it, I am sorry to disappoint you.  Like everywhere else in the world including George Town there are good and bad areas.

    The violence and crime in WestBay tends to be in a few areas, and you should not tar the whole of West Bay with one brush.

  3. Anonymous says:

    we Defiently need pictures, why is it that criminals have so many rights..once convicted for serious crimes post their pictures up,Imagine one of the two persons arresteed for the shootings in the Templeton street area was convicted for manslaughter a few years ago..yes Gun related..

    Didnt know he was out wow!

    why is it when something is reported on TV, they want you to go on their web page for details..they need to show it right then..why hide it ..maybe its ratings they looking..

    People lets watch each other backs and pass on the info..

    it could be me or you that could be a victim of a serious crime.

    A fam Member of mine was gun down a few years back..people in the area knew, who was the gun men.I say Gun men cause,every one who knew was just as guilty..

    To this day the case is still unsolved,However about 5 of them was gunned down in a similar fashion..some of them serving a 2 digit prison sentence for another crime, the rest cant sleep as they so busy watching there backs..

    Let it be known the Lord dont sleep..and Vengance is his

  4. Anonymous says:

    Well done RCIPS, keep the pressure on!

    Excellent job.

    • Common Sense says:

       Now start rounding up the middle class middle men and you will actually stop some the crime.  Until we nab the money launderers, people on the take, officials that are bribed, we will not stop the flow of drugs, guns, and the crime that goes with it.  Hopefully, these criminals that are rounded up will roll over on their bosses. (I think the public would be surprised to see which amongst us is actually involved in some way)  White collar "washers" are next!  Dirty money has to be cleaned and made legit so follow the paper trail and nab us some fat cats!!!

  5. Anonymous says:

    "He said his officers were ON TOP of the gang members…." Obviously NOT but rather FAR BEHIND

  6. Anonymous says:

    Good work to the RCIPS and the Public for assisting with these latest arrest. I ask that families, friends and employers notify the police if they know of someone who is connected to gangs or any violence. Now is the time to take back Cayman and change our judicial system with stricter sentences for murder, attempted murder, rape, domestic  and child abuse and supplying of drugs/firearms. Build a trade school,  improve our education and social sytstem. No more throwing healthy and productive young men in jail for petty crimes such as failing a stop light, having a spliff, catching 3 conchs or sleeping under a coconut tree:).

    Let us all do our part and be a positive influence to our youth and community. We need to change our immigration laws and implement fingerprinting and do stricter background checks and get a minimum wage of CI$10 per hour no one can live here on less. This will help to discourage people being put in a position to sell drugs, prostitution and illegal activities. To the families of the latest murdered victims please accept my prayers on your lost. And to the Churches please get more involved in the fight against crime and educating our youth about the dangers of being in gangs, drugs and teenage pregnancy. Our leaders please stand and be counted and no more talking do something.

    One love to all and blessings.

    • Anonymous says:

      Google search "Operation Ceasefire" and there is information on what some of the cities in the U.S.(Boston, NY etc.) are implementing for gang violence and the statistics to back it up. Some of their info. may be useful in Cayman?!

  7. Anon says:
    I just thought I would post this to highlight the plight of our long suffering friends in the RCIPS, who are being forced to work between twelve and fourteen hour shifts, seven days a week, for which they will not receive any compensation.
     
    I appreciate these are difficult times at the moment, but come on management, you can do better than this surely! You can’t keep flogging the troops to death, even you must realize its unsustainable, staff will just leave, and then you will have even fewer people left to do the work.
     
    Mr. Baines, why not be the first police commissioner in the RCIPS to actually care about the welfare of your staff? You wouldn’t do this in the UK, and you wouldn’t get away with treating your staff like this in the UK, so why do you find it acceptable to do it in Cayman? Make sure your officers are taken care of, compensated, and not working endless shifts on the basis of the usual RCIP knee jerk reaction. Perhaps this would increase retention levels in the service, and the service could move away from the ‘status quo’ where people are continually leaving, to be replaced by people who last about two years, and then leave for the same reasons, and so the cycle just continues.
     
    Its really not rocket science, and even despite what is going on with crime on the island, it does not have to be this way.
    • Anonymous says:

      Working endless hours?  Why does it take 8 RCIPS cars to go to after hour places to shut down music playing when no one in the surrounding area has called to complain? There are no bullets flying, no armed robberies there, just people stopping to get something to eat after being at a club, before they go home for the night.  Do you know how many people work late night shifts at restaurants and hotels that when they finish work, just want to stop off some place, have a bite to eat, chat with their friends and then go home to sleep?  These are not gangsters, or wanna be’s – its just the everyday person, sitting out in the open.  8 police cars?  That’s crazy.  Should not all these officers be diligently working on collecting evidence, not just from the countless unsolved murders, but what about the never ending armed robberies?  

      You are right, it does not have to be this way – but I would seriously like to know, who on earth is in charge? 

  8. Anonymous says:

    Physichogical harm is starting to happen to people in these islands because of the high crime rate. Its not a joke people!!!. I had a nightmare last night that i saw a young man chasing another and ran him down straight into a swamp and pumped 4 shots into his body. I woke up and I was too ashame to tell my family. It seems like it was real like all dreams. I wasglad when i woke up sweating in an air conditioned room. Can you imagine. I don’t care if you laugh at the post.

    • Common Sense says:

       If this is truly troubling you then get some free counseling.  There are many places to go.  Even a brief stop at the women’s crisis center (if the person posting is female) can help.  Secondly, take a few days to NOT watch the news, read all the posts and scary opinions, do NOT watch TV that will elevate your fear….take some time to center yourself.  Good luck.

  9. Anonymous says:

    THANK YOU RCIPS and all who helped.

    Does this mean the April Fools Day prayer is cancelled.

  10. Evil Unchecked grows says:

    “He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.”
     –   Martin Luther King, Jr., Black American Civil Rights Leader

     All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” 
           Edmund Burke, Irishman who went on to serve in the House of Commons.
     
    “Evil unchecked grows; evil tolerated poisons the whole system.”
           Jawaharlal Nehru, first prime minister of India
      
    Mothers, daughters, sisters, wives and girlfriends – it is time to open your mouth and say what the good Lord loves to hear; the TRUTH. You know who they are, what they have done and are most likely still planning to doing. Turn them in and hand over the proof of their crimes. 
     
    Set a constructive example for your children. If their fathers are incapable of being a good example then get up and be a good mother!
     
    Or are you happy to condemn your innocent children to an early grave as a gangster, like their fathers before them??
     
    “Each generation will reap what the former generation has sown.”
           Chinese Proverb
     
  11. Robert says:

    Kudos to the Police- in the past 6-7 months we have seen major improvements that will aid the Police- news laws such as The Anonymity of Witness law- which allows the identity of witnesses to serious crime to be withheld from the defendant, an amendment to the bail law that allows the police to electronic tag persons on police bail and tract them via GPS and funding for the police to build back capacity and replace all the officers who "ran away" over the past 4-5 years. Thanks to all in the Government who made these improvements happen.

    The police actions yesterday prove that we do not need to import a special squad to arrest the bad guys. What we need is for you the public to support the police by coming forward and give evidence and do not support in any way gang members. Don’t be a fool and become a "baby mother" for a criminal.

     

  12. Anonymous says:

    Feels like we are finally beginning to deal with those who would so blatantly wage war on every man woman and child in our communities. I’m beginning to feel there is some hope, thank God. Please heed the fine words of the first contributor and put country before any misguided notion of family loyalty. As for the RCIP, well done, keep it up, and please do use the existing legislation relating to gang activity to arrest and successfully obtain convictions. Members of the judiciary, kindly apply maximum sentences!

     
  13. Anonymous says:

     If you are aware of those involved in these crimes and fail to report them ("rat"as the term seems to be) , than you might as well pull the trigger yourself ….you are just as guilty. Irregardless of the fact that it may be your son, brother, cousin, nephew or best friends child. You could be the next bystander gunned down.

    Crimestoppers   is ANONYMOUS.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Good work RCIPS this is what we want to see.  Congratulations on a job well done.  Lets hope we can secure convictions this time.

  15. Anonymous says:

    great! how frustrating it will be for the RCIPS

    if they actually take murder suspects in, just to meet them

    in 2 weeks back on the road because they are out on bail !

    my pc sometimes pops up a window saying "system error"…

  16. Florence Goring-Nozza says:

    Commissioner Baines,

    We expect that you also charge these mothers, girlfriends and family members who are hoarding these fugitives and contributing to these murders in our society by withholding evidence and information from the police.  We do not expect you to deal with them softly but they must be punished and pay for their share of contribution to these murders by keeping quiet causing the RCIP and the community lengthy, tiresome unnecessary and intense searches for these hooligans..No one should get away so easily, these crimes are serious and you must send a strong and clear message of  "Zero Tolerance" that those involved, the shooters, the family members keeping quiet and all others party to these murders, must now be brought to justice.

    Parents and family members including mothers and fathers in the United States and other countries turn in their sons and daughters when they commit such crimes why should the people of the cayman Islands do any differently jeopardizing the safety of everyone else?  That’s just not fair and it’s unacceptable.

    Good Work RCIP

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Congratulations and huge encouragement to the RCIPS. I wish them much luck and protection.

      The stories about these gansta kids is sad and darn scary but we also have to look at the example that has been set for them by fathers and grand-fathers who are ignorant old men, in their sixties and seventies still hanging out in bars drinking to the point that they are stumbling out with urine all over their crotches. I have seen this on more than one occasion, and not involving the same persons. It is disgusting and down right disgusting and these supposedly respectable old men should be ashamed of themselves for disgracing their families in such a disgusting way.

  17. Macman says:

    Now let us see all those who have been shouting about the Police doing something come forward and support them. Give evidence against these "gangstas" or don’t bother complaining again…ever

    • Anonymous says:

      Just not pat the RCIPS on the back yet, arrests are one thing, convictions are another.  The RCIPS has a history of bungling evidence.  I will with hold my congratulations until the innocent are proven guilty and behind bars.

      As for the comment about not complaining about the RCIPs ‘ever’ is extremely short sighted.  The police are paid to do a job from public funds and are therefore subject to scrutiny and as a citizen I reserve the right to make a complaint, it is my democratic right.

  18. JAW says:

    thank you RCIPS for the fine work you have done  keep it up get these scumbags from off the streets

  19. Come on Man! says:

    Well Done!! Keep up the pressure.

  20. Anonymous says:

    About time!

  21. Anonymous says:

    ***BREAKING NEWS*** There were NO shootings in Cayman between Friday night and early Saturday morning. Police are investigating and expect to file a report later today. We’ll update you as soon as we have more information.

  22. Anonymous says:

    I posted this to another section but since that is a bit old, I’ll post it now it needs to be said.

    Before some of you get on here talking crap, I’ll ask you a few questions

    1. is your son 18-30? does he work?

     2. does he always have money to by the lastest name brands and bling, which you haven’t given him a dollar?

    3..Does he always have a group of male friends that his navel string seem to be buried with? 

    4..is he always hanging out?

    5.. If he has a car, does he buy alot of bling to out fit his car?

    6.. did you give him the money?

    7.. does he still live at home?

    8.. if he has children, doessupport them financially, without anyones help?

    9. every wonder where he gets all that money, but never ask?

    10. Does he give you any?

    11. do you take it?

    If your answers are the following 1. NO, 2. YES, 3. YES, 4.YES, 5.YES, 6.NO, 7.YES, 8. YES.

    HE IS 100% GANGSTA WANNA BE.

     

    If your answers are the following 9. YES, 10. YES, 11.YES.

    YOU ARE AIDING AND ABETTING A GANGSTA WANNA BE, HANDLING STOLEN PROPERTY, TAKING DRUG MONEY, AND LIVING OF THE DRUG MONEY YOUR GANGSTA WANNA BE SON IS MAKING.

    I suggest that before any of you all get on here talking crap and playing the blame game, ask yourselves those questions. Women ask that about your man as well, sisters ask that about your brothers, families ask that about the males in yours. 

    If your answers are the same as those listed from 1-11,  CALL THE POLICE!!!!!!! Bet you ain’t gonna do that!!

     

  23. Anonymous says:

    Unfortunately, this will just be another "catch and release" event. I suppose though if the commissioner is right and they keep on with the tit for tat murders there soon wont be any of them left but then what will become of Cayman in the interim?

    • Anonymous says:

       Exactly, rounding them up doesn’t equal charges or a conviction, and often leads to their release.  They have caught and charge ONE person for the last nine murders.  Great percentage RCIPS, keep up the great work!

  24. Watering Hole says:

    I do hope the  Premier, and the House of Assembly and the Judicial  Department, and the Legal  Department, make some quick laws, where by people giving evidence in these crimes  are only seen by the Judge or Jury,  Also Jurors should not be seen by he defendant or the public   Do u really think the "Hung Juror" Case was just so.   Hell no,  people do not want to return a verdict in these cases, and they wil not.   Change the Laws now.  Save your children.

    • Anonymous says:

       Commissioner Baines: Prosecuting witnesses for false statements or recanting original statements could make it even more difficult for the police to find witnesses….

  25. Anonymous says:

    Seventeen years old?  That’s very sad.

  26. Anonymous says:

    Cop round up shooters!  Nice thought! 

    But I really, really, really hope they have the "evidence" to prosecute them.  Why round up shooters, all to release them???

  27. Joe Average says:

    Good for you RCIPS!!  Whatever you do, whatever you have to do:  we’re behind you. Every person that wants to live in this place in peace and harmony.  Go for it!!  Kick butt.

    Also… very nice community gathering on the beach in Bodden Town this evening…this is how we take back our communities.  Many thanks to Miss Twyla for her wonderful stories.  And thanks to the cooks for all the wonderful food.  And everyone who came.  And said with their bodies don’t forget this is OUR island!!! 

  28. ME says:

    Lets see how long before they are released with no charge…. I’m guessing 3 weeks….

  29. Anonymous says:

    And the sound of angelic angels singing could be heard all around cayman. at last jeesus cried in the background. ACTION from men in power. and the sun shone on cayman for another day. amen

  30. Anonymous says:

    The shootings are not news. The murders are not news. The arrests are not news. Now actual convictions – that would be news. Lets see how sincere we, the Cayaman people, are about stopping crime. This is our chance to give evidence, assist the police, and clean up our backyard. 

     

     

  31. Anonymous says:

    Well done RCIPS, bring law and order to the criminal element.  Let the criminals know they are not in charge in the country.  Let the public see these criminals getting their car and houses searched for guns, drugs or any illegal goods.

    These gangsters are shooting down unarmed people in the country. They are not brave men they are killers and murderers. When an armed and trained member of the RCIPS stare them down they can be seen as they truly are, bullies and thugs.