Vandal suspects to go on trial

A January trial has been set for the four men who allegedly damaged a Police patrol car in Magistrates? Court.

Gavin O?Connor, 34 and Che Pennyman, 33, both of Stardust Drive, Hamilton Parish, Lindley Scott, 39, of Rec-View Hill Road, Devonshire, and Jevon Bean, 30, of Stadium Heights, Devonshire all appeared during yesterday?s mention session in Plea Court.

The four had previously pleaded not guilty to unlawfully damaging a Police car, using threatening behaviour and throwing stones and other missiles at the vehicle on September 10.

Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves set the trial for January 5. All of the men with the exception of Jevon Bean, who is currently in custody on another matter, were re-released on bail.

Mum steps in

An angry mother locked Police out of her house in a bid to protect her 32-year-old son from arrest.

Officers finally kicked down the door, while another Policeman, who had earlier crept inside struggled with the man in a back room.

The man was arrested despite continued aggression from him and his mother.

The incident occurred at 5.35 p.m. on Tuesday after Police arrived at the Sugar Apple Lane, Pembroke home with a search warrant.

A court appearance is expected.

Fuel prices fall

Minister of Finance Eugene Cox has announced that gas has become cheaper in Bermuda.

The new fuel prices as of November 17, 2003 show gasoline prices dropping by 1.7 cents per litre, diesel dropping by 0.2 cents per litre and kerosene dropping by 0.2 cents per litre.

The maximum retail prices displayed on the pumps for petroleum products are now:

Gasoline ? 129.8 cents/litre

Diesel ? 107.3 cents/litre

Kerosene ? 83.5 cents/litre

Showing persistence

A man tried to break into the Bank of Bermuda just one hour after being arrested for a similar offence, Police said yesterday.

Surveillance caught the 46-year-old walking through an alleyway near the bank?s branch in Gorham Road, Pembroke.

Officers waited for about ten minutes for the suspect to leave the building and then arrested him. The incident occurred at about 9 p.m. on Monday.

Earlier the man, of no fixed abode, had been released from Hamilton Police Station for breaking into an office.

Fire gets out of hand

Nine firefighters and more than 1,000 gallons of water were needed to extinguish a brush fire that was spreading towards a home in St. George?s.

Bermuda Fire Service spokesman Lt. Dana Lovell said the Tuesday morning fire at Blue Hole Hill measured an area covering 75-feet by 25-feet, which is described as being quite large.

?It took firefighters over an hour and 1,200 gallons of water to bring this very large brush fire under control,? said Lt. Lovell.

?The cause was determined to be controlled burning that got out of hand.?

Concert arrests made

Eight men aged between 16 and 25 have been arrested in connection with a disturbance at the November 10 Elephant Man concert at White Hill Field in Sandys.

Police are also investigating reports of a gun being waved at the event.

The disturbance, in which a woman suffered broken bones in her foot, broke out at about 2 a.m. in front of the stage.

Inquiries into the incident are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Arthur Glasford at 295-0011.