Prioritise Safety: Selling or Buying Items Online Involving Unknown Persons

Saturday, December 28,2024

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is urging residents to prioritise their safety, if intending to meet up with any unknown individual, to buy or sell items advertised online. Three reports have been received between the 24th and 26th December 2024, where an unknown individual stole an item offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace, after meeting unsuspecting sellers at three separate prearranged locations. The stolen items included popular brand name electronics. Inquiries are ongoing regarding all of these matters, with the possibility some instances may be linked. Noting the popularity of Facebook Marketplace and other similar online commerce sites, the following proactive advice is strongly recommended. Safety First View the buyer or seller profile. Take a screenshot of it, if possible and take note of the profile’s web address (URL). Check how long the profile has been active, when it was created and how many friends the account has. Be wary of newly created profiles that only have a few friends, or no friends at all. Also, be suspicious of promoted accounts that have testimonials from recently created profiles. Ask for a phone number and speak to the person before meeting. Never go alone. Bring a relative or friend along and let other family members or friends know where and when the exchange is taking place. Meet in well-lit, public areas before the hours of darkness. Avoid inviting an unknown individual to your home. Take note of the vehicle used by the buyer or seller, including the colour, type and its licence plate. Report any suspicious activity to the police immediately by calling 211, or 911 in an emergency. Online reports can also be made via the BPS community portal, https://portal.police.bm.

Investigation Ongoing After Two Car Devonshire Collision Monday

Tuesday, December 24,2024

An investigation into the circumstances regarding a two car collision that occurred at the junction of Middle Road and Tee Street in Devonshire, around 11am Monday, 23rd December 2024, is ongoing. It appears that one car was being driven along Middle Road, while the other car was being driven along Tee Street, when the vehicles collided at the junction. At this time, there is no indication that anyone involved was seriously hurt. The driver of one of the cars, understood to be an 89-year-old Devonshire man, was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital via ambulance for medical assessment. The driver and passenger of the other car were understood to be a 67-year-old St. George’s man and a 39-year-old St. George’s woman. Apparently the St. George’s man was unhurt, but attended the hospital for medical assessment as a precaution and was later discharged. Traffic diversions at the collision site were in place for approximately two hours, while the scene was processed. Both damaged cars were later towed away. Any witnesses that have not already come forward, are encouraged to contact Constable Jeral Jackman by calling 211, or e-mailing jjackman@bps.bm.

Witness Appeal: Confirmed Firearm Incident in the Court Street Area

Monday, December 23,2024

Around 7:05pm Saturday, 21st December 2024, a confirmed firearm incident occurred in the Court Street, North Hamilton area. It appears that a white motorcycle, with a rider and pillion passenger dressed in coloured clothing, was travelling along Court Street near the junction with Angle Street, when the pillion passenger discharged a firearm. There were no reported injuries. Forensic examination of the scene later confirmed that a firearm had been discharged. Inquiries continue regarding this confirmed firearm incident and any witnesses or persons with relevant information are encouraged to contact Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa by calling 717-2250, or e-mailing adonawa@bps.bm, at the earliest opportunity. Any information can also be shared through the Bermuda Police Service online community reporting portal, https://portal.police.bm, or with a police officer you know. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers Bermuda via their independent and confidential hotline 800-8477, or their website www.crimestoppers.bm.

Outcome of Investigation into ACOP Weekes

Tuesday, December 17,2024

Deputy Commissioner of Police Na'imah Astwood - "Following an independent investigation into allegations of Gross Misconduct on the part of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACOP), Martin Weekes, it has been determined there is no case to answer. However an allegation of discreditable conduct arising from the same matter was re-assessed, with the outcome being Management Advice, in accordance with Order 18 (5b) of the Police Conduct Orders 2016. The allegations arose from a personal WhatsApp conversation, which took place in 2018, between ACOP Weekes and a former BPS officer. This conversation, which was referenced in a Court of Appeal in its judgment, was later brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police. The investigation was conducted by a ranking officer from a United Kingdom police force. ACOP Weekes is scheduled to resume the role of ACOP Operations on December 23, 2024. As a delegated Appropriate Authority in the Bermuda Police Service, I do not typically provide detailed outcomes for such matters. However, given the rank of ACOP Weekes, the public attention this matter has garnered and in the interest of transparency, this outcome has been shared." Assistant Commissioner Weekes pictured below.

Khiry Furbert Murder Investigation

Monday, December 16,2024

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Clifford Roberts – “It is with regret that the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can now confirm the death of Mr. Khiry Furbert, in his 34th year of life and father to an 11 year old daughter. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Furbert during this time. At 12:42am on  Monday, 16th December 2024, police received a ‘911’ call from a member of the public who reported seeing a male laying in the road along Tribe Road No. 5 Ord Road, Paget next to a vehicle. Police and medical personnel attended the report where Mr. Furbert was found unresponsive. Lifesaving efforts were commenced and he was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by ambulance. Upon further examination at the hospital, Mr. Furbert was found to have suffered and succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound. The scene has been processed by the BPS Forensic team and forensic evidence was recovered. Officers from the Serious Crime Unit have commenced and are actively conducting house to house inquires and retrieving CCTV in an effort to progress this matter. The next of kin have been notified and a Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to assist the family during this tragic period. Public safety is one of our top priorities and we want to assure you that officers are actively investigating this incident. The investigative team would like to speak with anyone who may have seen Mr. Furbert earlier in the evening of Sunday 15th December 2024 leading up to the time of his death. Be assured - we will continue to deploy resources in areas affected by crime so that our neighbourhoods remain safe and secure. Our officers are actively engaging with the community, and we encourage anyone with information related to this case to come forward to provide any information that may assist. If you were in the area of Tribe Road No. 5, Ord Road Paget and may have seen anyone or heard anything suspicious, whether a person or vehicle, sometime between midnight and 12:45am just prior to the incident, please let us know. No matter how insignificant you may believe it to be. You may contact the Senior Investigative Officer, Detective Sergeant 2193 Odessa Philip at ophilip@bps.bm, 717-2193, or you can call the Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477. You can also utilise the BPS online community reporting portal https://portal.police.bm. Should you be more comfortable telling an officer you know, please reach out to them. Again, the BPS extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Furbert’s family.”