One Year Since Murder of Steve Parkes, Investigation Remains Active

Wednesday, December 11,2024

Detectives continue to investigate the murder of Steve Parkes, which occurred around 7:48pm Monday, 11th December 2023 in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire area. Mr. Parkes was 53-years-old when he was fatally shot outside his home, as he was about to get on his motorcycle. The investigators renew their appeal for relevant information, in particular from area residents who may have seen any suspicious individuals or vehicles in the Mary Victoria Road, Devonshire neighbourhood on the night Mr. Parkes was killed. All information received will be treated in the strictest confidence. Anyone that can assist is encouraged to contact Acting Detective Inspector Anneka Donawa by calling 717-2250, or e-mailing adonawa@bps.bm. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided through the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers Bermuda hotline 800-8477, as well as their website, www.crimestoppers.bm.

Two Car Drivers Treated & Released From Hospital After Collision

Tuesday, December 10,2024

Two female car drivers were treated and later discharged from King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, after being involved in a collision around 9:45am Monday, 9th December 2024, at the junction of Court Street and Reid Street, in the City of Hamilton. It now appears that one of the women involved, said to be a 67-year-old Warwick resident, was driving down Court Street and the other woman, said to be a 46-year-old Sandys parish resident, was driving along Reid Street when they collided at the junction. Both injured women were transported to hospital via ambulance a short time after. It is understood that the Court Street traffic light was green at the time. There were traffic disruptions in the immediate area for approximately two hours while the collision scene was processed. The two damaged cars had to be towed away. One witness made themselves known to the attending police officers and inquiries continue.

Update: Two Motorcycle Smith’s Parish Collision Investigation Continues

Tuesday, December 10,2024

At last check, a 19-year-old local male motorcyclist seriously injured in a collision with another motorcycle rider at the junction of Verdmont Road and St. Mark’s Road in Smith’s parish shortly before 10pm Saturday, 7th December 2024, remained at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, in stable condition. The other rider involved, understood to be a 23-year-old local woman, received hospital treatment for her injuries and was later discharged. It now appears that the 23-year-old was travelling along St. Mark’s Road and the 19-year-old was travelling along Verdmont Road, when the collision occurred at the junction. Inquiries continue and any witnesses or persons with relevant information are now encouraged to contact Sergeant Milton Hill by calling 211, or e-mailing mjhill@bps.bm.

Two Motorcyclists Hurt in Reported Serious Smith's Parish Collision [Updated]

Sunday, December 08,2024

Shortly before 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2024, police were dispatched to a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles at the junction of Verdmont Road and St. Mark’s Road, Smith’s. Details are limited at this time, however it has been confirmed that the riders of both bikes, a 19-year-old male and a 23-year-old female were both transported by ambulance to the King Edward the VII Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The male motorcycle rider appears to have suffered a serious head injury and was unresponsive. The extent of the injuries sustained by the female victim remains unknown at this time. An update will be provided as more information becomes available. In the interim, anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information pertaining to it, is asked to contact the main police number, 295-0011. Update: Tuesday, 10th December - At last check, a 19-year-old local male motorcyclist seriously injured in a collision with another motorcycle rider at the junction of Verdmont Road and St. Mark’s Road in Smith’s parish shortly before 10pm Saturday, 7th December 2024, remained at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, in stable condition. The other rider involved, understood to be a 23-year-old local woman, received hospital treatment for her injuries and was later discharged. It now appears that the 23-year-old was travelling along St. Mark’s Road and the 19-year-old was travelling along Verdmont Road, when the collision occurred at the junction. Inquiries continue and any witnesses or persons with relevant information are now encouraged to contact Sergeant Milton Hill by calling 211, or e-mailing mjhill@bps.bm.

Scam Advisory: Compromised WhatsApp Accounts Used for Fraud

Friday, December 06,2024

The Bermuda Police Service is advising the public to exercise increased caution in the wake of reports of people’s WhatsApp accounts being compromised and used to perpetrate fraudulent financial schemes. Hackers reportedly gain unauthorized access to an individual's WhatsApp account by deceiving the user into disclosing their six-digit verification code. Having gained access, the hackers impersonate the victim and message that person’s contacts, requesting urgent financial assistance or, sensitive information. What to Look Out For: Unusual Messages from Friends or Family: If a contact messages you asking for financial assistance, verify their identity through a phone call or in-person conversation before taking any action. Requests for OTP or Verification Codes: It is imperative that you do not disclose your one-time password (OTP) or verification codes to any individual, regardless of whether the request appears to originate from a reputable source. Urgency and Pressure: Fraudsters frequently instill a sense of urgency in order to compel victims to act without considering the consequences. Protect Yourself: Enable two-step verification. Enable WhatsApp's two-step verification for an added degree of protection. This feature requires a PIN to access your account. Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious when sharing personal or account-related information, even with trusted contacts. Stay Informed: Regularly update yourself on cybersecurity best practices to recognize and avoid scams. What to do if you are a victim: Immediately inform your contacts via alternative means of the hack to prevent further exploitation. Report the incident to WhatsApp via the in-app help feature. File a report with the Bermuda Police Service at https://portal.police.bm. The Bermuda Police Service remains committed to raising awareness about digital safety and encourages everyone to remain vigilant. By working together, we can reduce the impact of these fraudulent activities on our communities.