Police Anti-Crime Operation ‘Reaping Results’ as 2 more illegal firearms are recovered overnight - Police in Nassau, Bahamas are reporting the seizure of two illegal firearms, quantities of dangerous drugs and the arrest of 29 persons for a number of offences including, armed robbery, stolen vehicle and possession of dangerous drugs as they intensified their Island-wide anti-crime operation in New last evening.

The operation which is consistent with the Commissioner’s Policing Priorities for 2015, is part of the force’s strategy to cut down on criminal activity by targeting problem locations and persons engaged in criminal activities such as, murder, armed robbery, rape, shootings, stolen vehicle, firearms and drugs.

During last night’s operation, which was under the command of Chief Superintendent Theophilus Cunningham, two significant firearm arrests were made:

The first arrest occurred around 9:00pm on Saturday 6th December 2014, when officers from the operation team arrested an adult male in Fox Hill, after finding a handgun along with 11 rounds of ammunition in his possession.

The second arrest occurred shortly before 2:00am, on Sunday 22nd February 2015, when team of police officers acting in intelligence went to Arawak Cay, where they observed a 25 – year old male at a nightclub acting suspiciously. The officers approached the suspect who attempted to pull a handgun from his waist. The officers in fear of their life shot the suspect to his left side. The officers recovered a handgun along with 6 live rounds of ammunition from the suspect. The officers also recovered 16 small packages of marijuana from the suspect.

Police also discovered that the suspect is on bail for an indictable offence and is also wearing a court issued electronic monitoring device -  The suspect was transported to hospital where he is detained under heavy police guard.

Police credit the success of this ongoing major assault on crime to excellent team-work, intelligence led policing, precise execution of its policing plan and support from members of the public.

American visitor arrested for dangerous drugs - An adult American man from Tampa, Florida is in custody after he was arrested for possession of dangerous drugs on Sunday 15th June 2014.

According to reports, shortly before 12:00midnight on Saturday 21st February 2015, officers from the Tourism Policing Unit acting on intelligence went to a cruise ship moored at Prince George Wharf, where they found the suspect in possession of a quantity of marijuana. The suspect was taken into custody and is expected to appear in court early this week to be formally charged.

7 Arrested by Mobile Division Officers during 24 hours period - Consistent with the Commissioner’s Policing Priorities, Mobile Division saturation patrols intended to reduce crime and to minimize the ability for criminals to commit criminal activities resulted in the arrest of seven (7) persons during the past 24 hours for various minor and major offences.

Police launch island-wide manhunt for suspects in two shooting incidents - Police have launched an island-wide manhunt for the suspects involved in two separate shooting incidents that have left a man and a woman detained in hospital overnight.

In the first incident, shortly after 9:00pm, on Saturday 21st February 2015, police received a report that a man had been shot at New Hope Drive. When police arrived on the scene they met a man suffering from a gunshot wounds to his left leg. The man was rushed to hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

In the second incident, shortly before 1:00am, on Sunday 22nd February 2015, a woman was at a bar located at East Bay Street, when an argument started among some patrons resulting in a white male firing a handgun. The woman was shot to the upper chest and rushed to hospital, where she remains in critical condition. The suspect left the scene in a gold or champagne coloured Mercedes Benz vehicle.

Investigations are ongoing

WEEKLY PREVENTION CRIME TIP – BUSINESS OWNERS

•Keep doors and windows clear of signs and posters to allow good two-way visibility.
•Use video surveillance and make it well known.
•Make bank deposits at least once a day
•Place a surveillance camera behind the cash register facing the front counter.
•Install an emergency (panic) alarm.
•Make your sales counter clearly visible to observers.
•A clean environment is good for business and uncomfortable for robbers.
•Keep your business well-lit inside and outside

Please visit the Royal Bahamas Police Force Website at www.royalbahamaspolice.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rbpforce for Daily Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.

Police are appealing to anyone with information regarding any crime, no matter how small or insignificant (the tip) may seem, to anonymously call police at 919 or crime stoppers at 328-tips (8477) (New Providence) or 1-242-300- 8476 (Family Islands)

Stephen Dean RBPF, PACO 22/2/15