KEEN OBSERVATION LEADS TO THE ARREST OF THREE
Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin on Monday, 17th May, 2010 presented Commendation Certificates and Monetary Awards to Police Constables 1472 Jacqueline Branford and 1210 Halton Springer for the good work done leading to the apprehension of three persons on 16th April, 2010, who were involved in a case of theft of a motor vehicle.
With increasing frequency, the force is being challenged in dealing with the use of fraudulent number plates on vehicles, by persons who use the vehicles to commit crime. On occasions they have identifying vehicles with legitimate plates, and using vehicles of a similar make and model and colour on which they place the fraudulent plates.
On this occasion, the patrolling officers were on Highway 7, when they observed a relatively new Toyota motor car, bearing registration plates that appeared to have been hand painted. A check was made with the Police Control Centre, where it was confirmed that the registration numbers were assigned to a different vehicle. The siren was activated, but the car with the three occupants sped away. They were followed to the city in the area of St Ambrose School, where they exited the vehicle. Victor Evelyn was pursued and arrested by Constable Springer. Subsequent investigations lead to the arrest of Damien Antonio Burnett and Anthony Lewis. The vehicle had been stolen on 15th April, 2010, from the Hilton car park.
The keen observation of these officers, and the action they took lead to the early recovery of the stolen vehicle, thereby preventing it being used in the commission of serious crime.