[dropcap]V[/dropcap]incentian national Cenus Hinds is an entrepreneur who came to Saint Lucia on 16 August to pitch his tourism start-up business to investors. The 23-year-old operates an on-line marketplace where his countrymen can offer unique experiences to tourists: foreigners can learn how to make cultural dishes. He was scheduled to leave Saint Lucia after two days but, just prior to his departure, things took an unexpected turn.
While near the Rodney Bay bus stop on the evening of August 17, Hinds was ambushed by four males. He recalled that at least one of them brandished a knife and tackled him to the ground, while the others emptied his pockets. They escaped with his wallet containing his ID, driver’s license, ATM Card and about $300. They also made off with his mobile phone—a Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus. Mr. Hinds told the STAR that he reported the incident at the Gros Islet police station, then returned home to St. Vincent. Since then he has made countless attempts to locate his phone. He indicated that he had been able to get the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of his device. (An IMEI number can be used to track a device or can be blacklisted by a network provider to render the device unusable.)
He also was able to identify his phone up for sale on the Facebook group “St. Lucia Investment Group (758) Buy and Sell”—a forum where persons can list goods for sale. Said Hinds: “The phone was posted on the group with an asking price of $2,700.” He claims to have figured out what number was being used in the phone after it was stolen, and believes he has identified who is behind the account that posted it for sale. Also those who may know the person who posted it.
“I have given all of this information to Officer #606 Camron Laure”, said Hinds. “I have also spoken with the supervisor of the CID unit, Sergeant Henry, who assured me that steps would be taken with the information I gave. That was in October.”
Mr. Hinds says that all communication between him and officer Laure ended on November 21. On that day he asked for an update on the investigation. Since then, he says, he has tried on numerous occasions to reach out to the officer but has been repeatedly ignored. He said he has tried to contact the sergeant on three separate occasions this week, but his calls rang out.
“How hard can it be to inform a foreigner who was robbed that the investigation is at a standstill, if that be the case?” he said.
Hinds is still interested in expanding his business to Saint Lucia’s shores but his unfortunate experience was “devastating morale-wise”. He adds that it took him a few months to get his head together again.
The STAR reached out to the Gros Islet Police Station on Thursday afternoon for comment. We were directed to the police press office. An officer said there was “nothing on record” and that Officer Laure could not recall the matter. At press time, not a word, not a word, not a word from the police.
