CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – AS a result of investigations into the alleged robbery of a businessman in Nevis on Thursday, January 12, 2017, a Constable of the Police Force and a Private of the Defence Force were recently formally arrested, charged and suspended from duty.
According to a police release, Constable Kerin Cabey of St. Peter’s, St. Kitts was arrested on Tuesday (May 9) and Private Lovell Warner of Brick Kiln, Nevis was arrested on yesterday (May 12) and charged with larceny.
The incident, it stated, was first investigated as a police officer involved in a traffic accident but subsequently transitioned into a case of larceny after a report was made to the police by the victim.
In addition to the larceny charge, both men were suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of the case and they are also likely to be charged with disciplinary offences within their respective organisation.
They were however granted bail in the sum $5,000 each and are required to appear in the Charlestown Magistrate’s Court at a later date.
Commenting on the matter, Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley said: “I echo what I have previously said...our officers must maintain the highest standards of integrity. Everyone is responsible for their actions and will be held accountable. All allegations made against our officers will be investigated and the necessary action taken as deemed appropriate.”
Back in January when contact was made with the victim, Michael ‘Boy’ Daniel, he told SKNVibes that he was in Rawlins Village sleeping in his vehicle and was awakened when someone was searching his person.
Daniel said he had US$600 in his wallet and claimed that the person who was searching him had removed it from his person. He however alleged that the money was missing when the wallet was thrown back to him.
He further stated that on exiting his vehicle, he saw two men; one who was clad in army uniform with “a long gun in his hand”, and the other was wearing dark-coloured clothing with the word police superimposed on the back of the upper garment.
Daniel claimed that the two men entered a police pick-up truck and were attempting to drive away from the scene, but he jumped onto the back of it.
The businessman said he thought the officers were taking him to Gingerland Police Station, but when the fast moving vehicle got to Market Shop and did not make a left turn, he realised something was amiss.
He explained that after realising the officers were “up to no good, I leaned by the driver’s side, put my hand through the window and grabbed the steering wheel in an effort for him to stop the vehicle, but it didn’t”.
Daniel further explained that the vehicle eventually came to a halt after it crashed, sending him catapulting in the air before landing on the ground.
At that point, he alleged that the officers threatened to shoot him but he managed to make his way to a friend’s home, who advised him to remain there until the next day.
Daniel said that on the following morning he had contacted Attorney-at-Law Dr. Henry Browne, QC, and later reported the matter to the police.
