Crime/Police
East End Long Look Police Station Left Unattended For Hours, Says Residents
Community Threatens Protest Action And Demands 24-Hour Police Protection
Some residents of East End have today accused the police of leaving the East End Long Look Police Station in Tortola attended for hours and have threatened to organise a protest.
In an interview with JTV, a resident explained that on July 2 at around 8 a.m., she visited the station to file a report and found an empty building.
There were no members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in the station for hours.
“The place has been abandoned. I am here knocking at the window and no officer present. We are wide open and at high risk,” the distressed woman shared, adding that “we need to strike (protest) at the East End Police Station.”
She is calling on the Commissioner of Police Mark Collins to address the issue, while stressing that residents are entitled to round the clock police protection.
“Let’s get a message to the head cop that we don’t appreciate being left unattended especially at the station a day after (gun) shots,” she shared, adding that “someone could have been running from an attacker thinking the police would have been there to rescue them, but it’s seems they would have ran into a dead end and possibly to their death. This issue must be fixed immediately.”
On Saturday, July 1 several gunshots were fired in Long Look. No one was reportedly injured.
A short while later, two armed bandits robbed the House of Luxury jewellery store of an undisclosed sum of valuable in the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park.
They fired several gun shots in the air while fleeing the scene of the crime.
The frustrated East End resident shared that “it’s too often man. We are tired and fearful as this is an overly active community. The Commissioner of Police needs to respect us in our own environment, our community and honour our requests. We are entitled to have a fully staff station in East End on a 24-hour basis.”
She added: “The only ones here are the Governor and Commissioner in photo forms hanging on the wall of this station.”
A man believed to be mentally challenged was apprehended yesterday, May 8, for allegedly breaking and entering. While it is unclear whose property was involved or when the incident occurred, a voice in the video of the encounter is heard saying, “You hungry, ask for food, you don’t break into people’s houses.”
JTV understands that the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has been made aware of the matter. Further details will be provided as they become available.
A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with a late-night shooting outside a popular nightclub in Free Bottom. Following reports of gunfire in the area on Monday, April 28, 2024, officers arrested Jamari Scatliffe of John’s Hole, who now faces charges of possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear, unlawful possession of explosives, and attempted robbery.
According to initial reports, officers responded to the scene shortly after 1:45 a.m., where two masked individuals allegedly approached a group near the nightclub, prompting one person to flee inside. The masked assailants then fired several rounds before escaping.
A subsequent search of the area recovered eight spent shell casings, including five .223 caliber and three .40 caliber rounds.
Acting Commissioner of Police Jacqueline Vanterpool commended the swift action by officers, stressing the department’s commitment to public safety.
“Gun violence has no place in our community,” Vanterpool said. “The swift action by officers to investigate and bring charges in this matter reflects our continued commitment to ensuring public safety. We thank those who have already come forward and continue to urge anyone with information to do the right thing.”
The RVIPF is encouraging anyone with information related to this or other crimes to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 or from overseas at (284) 800-8477.
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Erick Rabsatt, the 24-year-old man wanted in connection with the December 2021 fatal shooting of Jaimez A. Stoutt in the British Virgin Islands, is reportedly in custody in the United States Virgin Islands.
A source close to the matter has confirmed that Rabsatt is currently being held in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and is awaiting processing to be extradited to the British Virgin Islands to face charges in the case. No official statements have yet been released by authorities in either jurisdiction regarding the detention.
Stoutt, 31, was shot and killed inside Crystal’s Nightclub in Free Bottom, Tortola, on December 11, 2021. He was transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he later died. The incident occurred in the early morning hours and was followed by a police investigation that identified Rabsatt as the primary suspect. An arrest warrant was issued, and authorities launched a manhunt that extended across both the British and United States Virgin Islands.
Stoutt was a former U.S. Army soldier who served in Afghanistan in 2011. After returning to the British Virgin Islands, he worked at CCT Global Communications before founding his own landscaping business, Military Cutz. He was also known for his involvement in local basketball leagues.
Following the incident, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force issued appeals to the public for assistance in locating Rabsatt and circulated his photo throughout the region.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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