Thursday, June 15, 2006

An incident on Cayman Brac involving a machete attack is not typical for the Island, according to Chief Inspector Reginald Branch, who heads the Brac Police Station.

According to a report from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, (RCIPS) a 42-year-old man was taken into police custody following the incident which took place on Monday, 13 June at the Watering Place Park, Cayman Brac.

The Park, known locally as "Pop-a-Top", is located on the Beach at Tibbetts Turn on the north side of the Island and is a popular area for Brac residents to socialize.

At approximately 6.45 pm the 911 Emergency Communications Centre received a call from a member of the public reporting that a fight had occurred between two men at the public park.

Officers attended and found a 32-year-old man had sustained serious injuries from a machete used for cutting wood.

Police arrested another local man on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and the RCIPS said he remained in police custody up to press time.

The victim, another local man, is currently being treated in hospital where his condition is said to be serious. It is understood he was air-ambulanced to George Town Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, 13 June.

Chief Inspector Branch told Cayman Net News he believes this is just a one-off incident and not indicative of a trend on the Brac. He said the last time an incident of this level of violence occurred was in 2003.

However, he described it as "serious and not good for the Brac."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw either party in the park prior to or after the incident is asked to contact police on 948-0331 or Crime Stoppers on 800 TIPS. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and could be entitled to a cash reward.

In the meantime Detectives investigating an attempted robbery which saw three English men attacked by a 40-year-old local man are looking to find a specific witness who may have crucial information.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 6 June at around 11:00 pm as the men walked on West Bay Road near the Courtyard Marriott.

That offender also threatened the men with a machete and demanded personal items and cash from them. The three fought back and the man fled empty-handed.

A 40-year-old local man was later arrested on suspicion of robbery.

"We have identified a man we would very much like to speak to who may have vital information. This man was seen to pull off the West Bay Road just after the incident, get out his vehicle, make a call on his cell phone and then drive away," said Detective Sergeant Kathleen Ryan.

"The only description we have is that he was tall, slim and had a light complexion. He may well have seen the incident itself or the offender fleeing the scene in a white car.

"We also believe a number of other cars were in the area at the time and would encourage the drivers to come forward."

Anyone who thinks they can help should contact West Bay Police Station on 949-3999 or Crime Stoppers on 800 TIPS.

The RCIPS also reported a busy holiday weekend with a number of arrests made.

A 24-year-old Honduran man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of Alcohol and a 23-year-old French Guyanese and a 23-year-old Nicaraguan on suspicion of disorderly conduct, as well as a 36-year-old Guyanese man on suspicion of disorderly conduct and threatening violence.

A 25-year-old Caymanian man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and two 19-year-old Caymanian men were arrested on suspicion of wounding and possession of an offensive weapon.

Two other Caymanian men were also arrested on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Back...