Press Releases
Sudden Death of 68-Year-Old Albert Simons
Fri, 2022-11-18
The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the identity of the 68-year-old male found unresponsive inside his vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday 15th November, 2022, as Mr. Albert Simons.
Mr. Simons had been listed as the island’s 9th road fatality for the year.
However, following an autopsy, it has been determined Mr. Simons‘ sudden death was as a result of natural causes and not injuries related to the collision.
As such, his passing is not considered a road traffic fatality.
Therefore, the number of fatal road traffic collisions for this year remains at 8.
The Bermuda Police Service extends sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Simons.
Read MoreOnline Purchase Scam Advisory
Thu, 2022-11-17
In recent times, the Bermuda Police Service, (BPS), has received several reports of persons being duped into making online payments for the purchase of goods advertised for sale on several social media platforms, only to then not receive the items paid for.
The BPS is asking the public to be extremely vigilant when making such purchases,in order to avoid becoming a victim to this scam.
Detective Inspector, Clifford Roberts of the Criminal Investigations Unit, stated, “We wish to remind the public to take necessary precautions when conducting purchases, particularly, online purchases from private sellers.
· When buying from a private seller, avoid making electronic bank transfers.
· Make inquiries of and about the seller.
· Meet with the seller at a public location within easy view of other people.
· If possible, take someone along with you.
· Be sure to physically check items before making payment.
· Do not make payment before you have received the item.”
If you are suspicious about a seller or items advertised for sale on social media, simply do not make the purchase.
If you are a victim of this scam or have information on anyone engaging in it or, acts of similar nature, please call to the non emergency reporting number, 211, the main police number 295-0011 or, 800-TIPS (8477).
You may also wish to use the BPS crime reporting portal https://portal.police.bm, or speak with a police officer you know.
Suspect Arrested for Knife Possession
Wed, 2022-11-16
A suspect has been arrested after he was found to be in possession of a knife, while on board a public bus.
Around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 15th November, 2022, police attended a road traffic collision involving a PTB bus, on Middle Road, near the junction with Chapel Road, Paget.
As passengers disembarked the bus, officers were alerted there was a male who allegedly had a knife in his possession, on board. Officers approached the suspect and saw that he was holding a knife in his right hand.
The suspect who was disarmed without incident, used threatening words to police during the ensuing arrest.
Chief Inspector, Robert Cardwell of the Police Support Unit, said: “Here we see what can be achieved when the community and police work together. Information shared with us, has led to the arrest and subsequent charging of this suspect for offences committed under the “Criminal Code Act 1907.”
Under Section 315-F of the Criminal Code Act 1907, police officers have the authority to stop and search any individual they suspect of carrying a bladed article.
The Act further states, “Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, has in his possession in any public place any offensive weapon shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be liable—on summary conviction, to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of fifteen hundred dollars or both. If convicted on indictment, they are liable to imprisonment for four years or to a fine of five thousand dollars or both.”
BPS Seeking Rightful Owners of Impounded Vehicles
Wed, 2022-11-16
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) currently has a number of vehicles at the Prospect Devonshire impound, including 29 reported stolen motorcycles that were later recovered.
Our priority is to return these vehicles to their rightful owners. As a result, members of the public are encouraged to review the list of registration numbers in the Official Gazette notice on the Government of Bermuda’s website, to identify any vehicle that may belong to them.
The notice can be found at: https://www.gov.bm/theofficialgazette/notices/gn10652022.
This list of uncollected vehicles also includes auxiliary cycles, motorcycles and cars that came into police possession after a collision, seized for safe keeping during the investigation process. However, once the investigation has concluded, some owners neglect to either claim their vehicle, or give the BPS written permission to dispose of it.
Registered owners of these vehicles may reclaim them by contacting the Police Impound Office, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, at telephone number 247-1751.
Any vehicle not claimed within 21 days will be disposed of, in accordance with the Police Property Act, 1921.
Number of Road Traffic Fatalities Remains at 8 [Updated]
Tue, 2022-11-15
Shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday 15th November, 2022, police received a report of a single vehicle collision involving a car, just east of the junction of Watch Hill and South Shore Road, Smith’s Parish.
Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive 68-year-old-male in the driver’s seat of the vehicle which, was facing west, in the east bound lane of South Shore Road and partially off the roadway.
Officers began performing CPR and continued until the arrival of EMTs, who took over.
The man, who remained unresponsive, was transferred by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
Sadly, this is the 9th road traffic fatality for 2022.
The scene was processed by forensics officers along with Traffic Collision Investigators.
No further information will be provided until next of kin have been informed.
Update: Thursday, 17th November - The Bermuda Police Service can now confirm the identity of the 68-year-old male found unresponsive inside his vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday 15th November, 2022, as Mr. Albert Simons.
Mr. Simons had been listed as the island’s 9th road fatality for the year.
However, following an autopsy, it has been determined Mr. Simons‘ sudden death was as a result of natural causes and not injuries related to the collision.
As such, his passing is not considered a road traffic fatality.
Therefore, the number of fatal road traffic collisions for this year remains at 8.
The Bermuda Police Service extends sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Simons.
Six Arrested & Large Quantity of Controlled Drugs Seized in Smith's Parish
Mon, 2022-11-14
Around 1:15pm today, Monday, 14th November, 2022, the Bermuda Police Service Narcotics Unit assisted by the Police Support Unit (PSU), executed a warrant at a residence on Collectors Close, Smith's Parish, as part of an ongoing investigation.
Six individuals, five males and one female, were arrested in connection with this matter and a quantity of controlled drugs, cannabis and heroin were seized.
The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $1.3 million dollars.
The investigation into this matter has not yet been completed.
No further information will be provided at this time.
BPS Training Course Underway for Future Investigators
Mon, 2022-11-14
Today, Monday 14th November 2022, the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) commenced a basic investigators training course at Police Headquarters in Prospect, Devonshire.
The two-week course, being conducted by BPS Inspector Derrick Golding and BPS Constable Ronald Taylor, comprises 14 BPS officers as well as two Customs Department officers.
Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons highlighted that ongoing training, including working with associated law enforcement partners, is important and provides tangible benefits.
“This type of training further develops our local talent.
This is the second investigators course this year, with a further two planned for 2023.
Consistent training helps us to keep pace with best practice and facilitates succession planning.
I am proud of the work our officers do – and appreciate the opportunity for joint training with our law enforcement partners whenever possible.”
Holiday Weekend Policing
Mon, 2022-11-14
The “Memorial Day” holiday weekend went off quite smoothly from a serious crime perspective and we would like to thank the members of the public for working with us to make it a peaceful weekend. However, there were a number of arrests for various offences, starting on Friday night.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Martin Weekes stated: “The majority of these arrests were for outstanding warrants. The Bermuda Police Service, (BPS), has stepped up efforts in terms of ensuring that individuals with outstanding warrants meet their responsibility. So we advise that if you have an outstanding warrant, you take action to have it cleared. To that end, ten people were arrested on outstanding warrants this past weekend. Worryingly, a number of people were arrested for assault, including against the police. One of our officers was left with injuries to both arms after they were assaulted by a suspect during a search, having been arrested for a previous assault, on another individual.”
Over the weekend one person was arrested for driving whilst disqualified.
ARRESTS:
• Obstruction – 1
• Driving whilst disqualified by the court - 1
• Warrant - 10
• Common Assault - 2
• Common assault on Police - 1
• Breach of the Peace - 1
• Wilful Damage - 1
Despite repeated advisories that Operation Vega remains in place, some road users continue to ignore traffic regulations.
Assistant Commissioner Weekes said: “Operation Vega has been implemented in a continued effort to curtail such behaviour and there will be ongoing heightened police activity as we seek to improve behaviour on the island’s roads. We accept that this will require consistent action on our part as bad driving behaviour is cultural and will take time to change.”
Speeding is one of the main targets of Operation Vega. Thirty-one people were ticketed for speeding offences over the weekend. The highest recorded speed was 72 kilometres per hour. More than twice the 35 kilometre per hour limit.
As previously stated, there is a noticeable increase in the number of people being ticketed for driving unlicensed/uninsured vehicles and driving without a driver’s license.
We wish to remind you that, failure to license your car, attracts a $750 fixed penalty. For failing to license a motorcycle, the fixed penalty is $250. Operating a vehicle without a driver’s license, carries a fixed penalty of $100. The courts will levy a $1000 fine if you are found to be operating an uninsured vehicle.
TRAFFIC OFFENCES:
• No Driver’s Licence - 5
• No Vehicle Licence - 13
• No Insurance - 12
• Disqualified Driving - 3
• Speeding - 41
• MAN forms - 23
• Traffic sign offences - 4
• Unfastened Helmet - 1
• Driving without due care and attention - 1
Investigation Commenced Into Incident Near the W.E.R. Joel Tennis Stadium
Thu, 2022-11-10
An investigation has commenced into an incident which took place in the area of the W.E.R. Joel Tennis Stadium on Marsh Folly Road, Pembroke, between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 4th, 2022.
Investigators are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may be able to identify the two persons featured in the photograph or, the motorcycle they were traveling on.
Anyone with information regarding the two suspects or the motorbike, is asked to contact the investigating officer, Acting Sergeant Odessa Philip on 717-2193 or, via e-mail ophilip@bps.bm.
You may also call 211 or, the main police number 295-0011. Alternatively you may provide the information to a police officer with whom you are familiar.
Bus Crash on North Shore Road, Devonshire: One Person Injured
Wed, 2022-11-09
Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday 9th November, 2022, officers dispatched to the area of North Shore Road, Devonshire, near the old Clayhouse Inn to a report of a PTB bus had gone off the road and landed in a trench.
Reports are one passenger on board the bus was injured. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
The roadway was closed at the scene of the collision. Traffic headed west was diverted at the junction of North Shore Road and Store Hill. Traffic headed east, was diverted at the junction of Barkers Hill and North Shore Road.
However the bus was removed and the roadway reopened around 6:15 p.m.
