One charged in bomb hoax

(CNS) Updated: Following the arrest of two local men yesterday in connection with a hoax bomb alert last Saturday, which led to the evacuation of the Ritz-Carlton, Cayman and the Caribbean Club on Seven Mile Beach, one man has now been charged and the other released. The RCIPS said Thursday morning that officers from the Drugs & Serious Crime Task Force had arrested the two Caymanian men, aged 48 and 53, on suspicion of “bomb hoax” and both were in police custody as officers waited on a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions over charges. 53-year-old James Bernie Williams appeared in court Friday and the case is expected to be transmitted to the Grand Court in the New Year. 

The hoax had caused considerable disruption and police said that meetings were held this week to review the response to the threat.

“The hoax bomb threat resulted in considerable police and other emergency resources being deployed, as well as the ensuing police investigation that led to the arrest of the two men,” Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton said. “There was also significant impact to the two tourist establishments that had a combined guests of several hundred, not including staff. As a consequence, we take this very seriously and even though the threat was a hoax this should not diminish the seriousness of the crime that is punishable on conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars and to imprisonment for ten years pursuant to section 206  of the Penal Code (2010 Revision).”

Police, fire, EMC, 911 personnel and the management of the Ritz-Carlton and the Caribbean Club have since met to review how the bomb threat was handled as both the Ritz-Carlton and the Caribbean Club initiated a full scale evacuation.

“The meeting was intended to improve upon how police and other emergency staff can work with and compliment these arrangements,” an RCIPS spokesperson explained.

The police said the hotel staff at both venues reacted and implemented their emergency procedures preceding the arrival of emergency services and did so efficiently and effectively.

“It is clear both venues and their staff had comprehensive plans in place, trained their staff effectively and the weekend’s events demonstrated the effectiveness of their plans and staff training,” said Police Commissioner David Baines.