Man fined $1,000 for driving while impaired

An American drywaller asked Police if he was going to be thrown off the Island after he was caught driving drunk, Magistrates' Court heard.

Loren Finch, 31, who currently lives in Smith's, pleaded guilty to driving on August 24 while impaired by alcohol.

According to Crown counsel Takiyah Burgess, Police saw Finch, who was riding west on Southside Road, in St. David's, fail to stop completely at an intersection.

Officers pulled Finch over, and during a brief conversation they noticed that his breath smelled of alcohol and his eyes were glazed.

Asked if he had been drinking, he admitted that he "had a couple of beers". When Police informed him that he was going to be arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired, he asked: "Will that get me thrown off the Island?"

A breath sample revealed that Finch had 131 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrams.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Finch $1,000 and banned him from driving all vehicles for 12 months.

Twenty-seven vehicles stolen over the past week

Twenty-seven vehicles were stolen, 52 collisions were recorded and seven people arrested on suspicion of drink driving in one week, Police said.

Police said ten vehicles were taken from Pembroke, seven from Southampton, three from Warwick and two from both Devonshire and Paget. One vehicle was taken from each of the following three parishes: St. George's, Hamilton Parish and Sandys.

A Police spokesperson said: "Most of the vehicles removed were either auxiliary cycles or motorcycles, with two cars also reported stolen during the period. "Of the 27 vehicles reported stolen, four were subsequently recovered, including one of the cars."

Out of the 52 road traffic accidents from August 23 to August 30, 17 involved injury, while 35 were damage-only collisions.

Motorists have been advised to slow down and drive responsibly on the Island's roads. The Bermuda Police Service issued a statement yesterday urging people travelling in cars to wear seat belts and to always make sure children were properly restrained in the vehicle. They also advised motorists to fasten their helmets and avoid making a third lane.

Tourists robbed in their guesthouse

Tourists were robbed by a man brandishing a bladed article.

Police said that around 1.15 a.m. on Tuesday they received a report of a burglary at a Smith's guesthouse. A stranger went to the visiting couple's room and demanded money before escaping. The tourists were not injured.

The intruder is described as a black man, approximately 6'3", of slim build and wearing black clothing. Police are asking for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact St. George's Criminal Investigation Unit on 293-2222.

Teen had 8 grams of cannabis in IPZ

A Sandys man was fined after Police found a cannabis cigarette behind his ear.

Joecoy Burrows, 19, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court Tuesday to possessing cannabis in an increased penalty zone.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke said Police were on duty outside St. David's Cricket Club on May 15 when they noticed Burrows walking into the club with a hand-rolled, half-burned cigarette behind his ear.

Officers stopped Burrows and after informing him that they were going to search him, asked him what was in the cigarette.

He replied: "Oh man. It's weed. I admit it."

While speaking to Burrows, Police noticed him slowly moving his right hand to his front right pocket. Inside the pocket Police found a bag containing brown paper twists, which he also admitted contained cannabis. In total, Burrows had 8.26 grams of cannabis on him.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner fined Burrows $1,000 for possessing a controlled substance, and another $1,500 for having it in an increased penalty zone.

No evidence of gunfire incident

Police responded to a reported firearms incident in Hamilton on Tuesday, but found no evidence of gunfire.

Officers received an anonymous report around 1 p.m. that shots had been fired on Union Street. A spokesman said: "Officers spoke with area residents and conducted searches in the surrounding areas where the alleged incident took place with negative results."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Police on 295-0011, or the independent CrimeStoppers Bermuda hot line on 800-8477.

Police to residents: Secure your property

Residents were yesterday reminded to keep their doors and windows locked after a series of burglaries in central parishes.

Three burglaries were reported in Paget and a fourth recorded in Warwick on Tuesday, a Police spokesperson stated. Electronic items as well as quantities of cash and jewellery were taken.

Warned the spokesperson: "All residents should make sure windows and doors are locked before leaving their homes unattended, even for short periods of time."