Teenager charged with tourist robbery

(CNS): A 17-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the robbery of two tourists on Barefoot Beach in East End last month. The teenager, who was arrested on Saturday, joins two other men who have already appeared in court charged with the crime in which the suspects stole $20 in cash and an underwater camera. The robbery occurred around noon on Monday, 7 February, at the remote location. The couple, who were visiting the Island from the US, were confronted by three men wearing T-shirts around their faces. Two of the robbers were armed, the victims reported, one with a baseball bat and another with a knuckleduster.

One of the men grabbed the male tourist, placed him in a headlock and demanded cash. The victims then handed over a wallet containing the small sum of cash. As the suspects were making off from the scene, they smashed the window of the couple’s hire car with the baseball bat and stole the camera.

Police said that the 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of the robbery on Saturday during an operation in the Eastern Districts. He has now been charged with the crime and is expected to appear in court today, Tuesday 15 March.

Michael McLaughlin and Trent Bodden, the two other men accused of the robbery, appeared in Grand Court on Friday under the new system which allows serious crimes to be sent up to the higher court within days of charges being laid. However, neither of the men have yet answered the charges as the crown’s case against the men was not prepared. McLaughlin also appeared without representation.