Archive for August 28th, 2013
Island Companies’ woes go beyond cruise decline
(CNS Business): Although the management of Island Companies, which is now owned by Dart Enterprises, has cited declining cruise ship figures as the reason behind its intention to close its downtown Flagship stores, sources told CNS Business that the company's troubles went way beyond the fall in cruise passenger numbers. Inside sources, who wish to remain anonymous, suggested that the decline started several years ago when the retail company began losing what was to become millions of dollars as a result of bad management decisions. Although the government’s plans for the cruise berthing facility are now on a proper course and despite the promise of more cruise calls before the year-end, at least four stores are set to close. Read more and comment on CNS Business
Gunmen raid Savannah home
(CNS) Updated: A group of ten people living in and visiting a house in Savannah endured a frightening ordeal early Wednesday morning when four masked gunmen entered the home around 1am and robbed the householders and their guests. Police said the men, who were all dressed in camouflage clothing, carrying black handguns, and wearing masks and gloves, got into the house and ordered the ten occupants to lie face down. They then tied some of the occupants' hands and robbed the house of money and jewellery before making their escape, after engaging in a tustle with at least one of the victims. Police said that no one was injured during the home invasion and short descriptions of three of the men were given by the witnesses.
One of the suspects had hairy arms and a brown complexion; he was about 5ft 7inches tall, slim built with Caymanian accent. The victims described another suspect as short, dark, with a big mouth, medium built, also with a Caymanian accent; and a third was said to be short with brown skin.There was no description for the fouurth man but he was said to have also spoken with a Caymanian accent.
The RCIPS is appealing to anyone who may have information on this robbery to report to any of the police stations or call 800-TIPS (8477) or 949-7777.
Six time escapee re-captured
(CNS): Two weeks after he broke out of HMP Northward with his son, Marcus Manderson, and Jamaican national Chadwick Dale, 44-year-old Steve Manderson has been recaptured. The six time escapee was rounded up following a joint police and prison staff operation in Frank Sound just before 5am on Wednesday morning. Manderson, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a prison officer, is now in police custody following his arrest for escaping. He joins fellow escapee Dale, who was arrested last week and is awaiting charges in connection with the break-out.
Meanwhile, Manderson’s son Marcus, who is serving a mandatory ten year sentence for possession of an unlicensed firearm, remains the only one of the three prisoners that escaped who is still on the run.
Anyone who has information which could assist the police should contact their nearest police station. Any sightings of the escaped prisoner should be reported immediately to 911.
Cops arrest suspect in West Bay shooting
(CNS): A 23-year-old man has been arrested and is currently in police custody in connection with what is believed to be a gang related shooting at the weekend. Police have confirmed that, following an early morning operation in West Bay on Tuesday 27 August at around 5:15am, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service arrested the man on suspicion of attempted murder. The arrest relates to the shooting on Powell Smith Road at around 9:30 Saturday night, when a 22-year-old man was seriously injured having been hit several times after gunmen opened fire on him when he answered his door.
The victim is said to be in a stable condition at the hospital in George Town with injuries to his face, back and leg. Police have said that patrols in the area have intensified and more armed officers have been deployed to the district.