Police use 'diversionary device' in conducting raid

Police set off an explosive device as a diversionary tactic during an armed raid in Curving Avenue, Pembroke, early yesterday.

The Royal Gazette understands officers executed the search warrant around 5 a.m. in the hunt for a person wanted over firearms offences.

No one was arrested during the raid, which is not believed to be linked the triple shooting over Christmas that left one man dead.

A Police spokesman declined to give any details about the raid other than saying: "A diversionary device was employed that may have created a very large bang in the area.

"The Bermuda Police Service would like to apologise for the noise and assure the public that it was nothing untoward."

Man admits molesting two girls

A man was jailed for eight years by a Magistrate yesterday after pleading guilty to ten charges relating to the sexual abuse of two young girls.

The defendant is said by prosecutors to have committed the offences against the girls — the daughters of his partner — over the period 2003 to 2007. Both were under the age of 11 at the time.

Defence lawyer Elizabeth Christopher told the court that the mother of the victims continues to support the man who has sought counselling to address his behaviour and is unlikely to re-offend.

Handing the sentence to the man, Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said that he had taken into account his admission of guilt, apology for the crimes and the fact that he has no previous convictions.

None of the parties involved in the case can be identified for legal reasons.

Man robbed of cash

A 37-year-old man was punched in the face as a robber demanded his money.

Around 11 p.m. on Thursday, Police were called to Mangrove Bay Road in Sandys parish and spoke with the victim.

The man said an unknown man approached him after he withdrew money from an ATM and demanded his wallet.

The Sandys parish man attempted to flee towards Somerset Country Squire but the robber caught him, wrestled him to the ground and took the victim's wallet before running off along East Shore Road.

During the struggle, the victim was punched in the face.

The suspect is described as a black male with a brown mustache, approximately 6-foot tall of slim build, wearing a grey sweater and dark coloured long pants.

Police are appealing for witnesses

Homes hit by burglaries

Homes in Pembroke and Warwick were burgled on Thursday evening.

Police were called to Ord Road in Warwick at 10.40 p.m. and told that an unknown man had broken into the residence and stolen a black leather purse.

The homeowner caught the thief in the act but he ran off while she called Police.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall of medium build with a short haircut, wearing a brown T-shirt and black long pants.

Earlier in the evening Police were called to a residence on Hibiscus Lane, Pembroke and told that sometime between 8:55 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. an unknown culprit gained entry in to the home and stole a silver chain with turquoise stones. Inquiries into both incidents are underway.

Angle Street home broken into

On Wednesday an Angle Street residence was broken into.

On arrival Police officers spoke with the complainant who stated that she was sweeping the front of her property and returned inside to find an unknown man in her home.

The suspect made good his escape on foot with a quantity of jewellery and is described as a dark-skinned male, 25 to 30 years old, of medium build, wearing a black hat and a black jacket.

Inquiries into this incident are underway.

Coconut tree stolen

A thief stole a coconut tree after breaking into somebody's property.

The offender struck at the address in Ord Road, Warwick, between 6 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on Saturday.

In another incident, a burglar took a quantity of phone cards after breaking into Grannie's Kitchen, North Shore Road, Pembroke, between 6 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. yesterday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call 295-0011 or the anonymous CrimeStoppers hotline on 1-800-623-8477.

Teen admits break-in

A 17-year-old-man admitted to breaking into a Park Lane, Pembroke, home and stealing electrical items.

Magistrates' court heard from Crown Counsel Larissa Burgess that on January 14, Jahleel Crockwell, of Fenton's Drive, gained access to the house by smashing a window pane.

He stole an iPod worth $200, a DVD player worth $300, a Walkie - Talkie and five DVD's.

When Police attempted to arrest him he began using offensive words and resisted arrest. Social Inquiry Reports were ordered and he was remanded in custody until March 18.