FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- The Grand Bahama police are making an appeal to the community for persons with any information regarding the shooting death of Steffon 'Tommy' Mitchell (pictured) age 29 years of Freeport on 14th November, 2009 at Albacore Drive, Lucaya during an attempted robbery. 

The police are continuing investigations into this matter but are soliciting the support of the public.  Anyone with information that would assist in bringing closure to this matter especially for the greiving family should call 350-3107/8, 352-9774/5 or 911.

Click here to read the original police report for details on this shooting incident which resulted in homicide #11 for Grand Bahama in 2009.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- At 1:00am on Sunday 31st January, 2010, the Police were notified of a young man lying down on the side of the road at the Junction of Bruce Ave and Murchinson Drive who was suffering from stab wounds to the body. Police Officers responded and upon their arrival they found the victim, a male age 32 years of Clarke Avenue, who reported that he was attacked another male while in the area of Garden Villas. 

The victim was taken to the Accident and Emergency Section of the Rand Memorial Hospital where he was attended by doctor and detained at the named hospital.  He was discharged this afternoon and the police at the Central Detective Unit are continuing their investigations into this matter.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT UPDATE
The 43 year old victim in the traffic accident that occurred at 2:00pm on Thursday 21st January, 2010 on Grand Bahama Highway is listed in 'stable' condition Sunday afternoon at the Princess Margaret Hospital, New Providence.

SUSPECT ARRAIGNED FOR POSSESSION OF UNLICENSED FIREARM AND AMMUNITIONS

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Thursday 28th January, 2010 at 10:00am BRANDON FORBES age 28 years of Freeport, was arraigned in Magistrate's Court No.2 before Magistrate Andrew Forbes and pleaded 'not guilty' to the charges.  The accused man, who was represented by Attorney Carlson Shurland was not allowed bail by the Court and the matter was adjourned to 17th June, 2010 for trial.  On Tuesday 26th January 2010, at 10:25am, officers from the Drug Enforcement unit were acting on information received, when they executed a search warrant on a residence on Adventures Way.  During the search by the officers with the occupant of the residence there, the officers discovered: (1) black bag containing (1) grey firearm magazine.  A further search of the suspect's vehicle parked on the outside, they discovered: (1) Llama .380 pistol loaded with (1) magazine containing (6) rounds of .380 ammunitions.  The male resident was arrested and taken into police custody along with the two firearms and ammunitions.  

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- On Monday 25th January, 2010, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Welbourne Bootle was promoted to the rank of Superintendent - He heads the Police Traffic Division on the island of Grand Bahama. 

Secondly, Inspector Wendell Smith was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and he will sit as the officer in charge of the Mobile Patrol Division on 8th February, 2010.

And thirdly, Inspector Wendell Clarke, an Attorney at Law was promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police and will continue to head the Police Prosecutions' Department in Freeport, GBI. 

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- At 10am on Tuesday, January 26th 2010, the Police Traffic Officers in Freeport responded to a traffic accident report on Queens Highway.  The officers who responded reported that a male age 29 years of Freeport was driving a Maxima car west on Queens Highway in the area of West Sunrise Highway when a male and a female on a motorcycle were traveling east on Queens Highway and they attempted to negotiate a U-turn across the pathway of the Maxima which resulted in a collision. 

The rider and passenger (both tourists) were knocked from the motorcycle, receiving injuries for which they were transported to the Accident and Emergency Section of the Rand Memorial Hospital.  The riders who were passengers on a Norweigan Cruise were given medical services at the named hospital.  At 1:40pm, the female, age 64 years, succombed to her injuries and the male, age 63 years, was treated and detained.  Investigations are being continued by officers at the Police Traffic Department.

UPDATE WEDS: The first traffic fatality victim has been identified as Bette C. McLaughlin, DOB 6th May, 1945 of South Carolina, USA.  Her husband, Joseph W. McLaughlin, DOB 12th Spetember, 1946 of South Carolina was discharged today from hospital.  Officers at the Police Traffic Department in Freeport are continuing their investigations into this matter.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- It is true that where there is unity, there is strength, and this was demonstrated by two Law Enforcement Agencies on Grand Bahama when on Wednesday 20th January, 2010 at 9:45am, Police Officers, along with Bahamas Customs Officers, were acting on information received that a blue and white 36ft boat was coming into Grand Bahama from Ft. Lauderdale with the intent to evade Customs authorities with their goods.

The Officers observed the vessel coming in and the two male occupants ages 43 and 33 years did not go to the nearest Customs vessel clearing but instead, the vessel was taken into the Silver Point Waterway and docked at the rear of a residence on Ocean Reef Boulevard.  

Another team of Bahamas Customs Officers who were in the area of Ocean Reef Boulevard approached the two men and told them that they were suspected of transporting uncustomed goods. 

A search of the vessel resulted in the discovery of forty-six (46) boxes of Backwood and Black & Mild cigars which came in from Ft. Lauderdale and not cleared by Bahamas Customs.  

Both suspects were taken into custody by Customs Officers the goods were seized.  Investigations are being continued by Officers at the Bahamas Customs Department.

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- At 2:00pm on Thursday 21st January, 2010  the Police responded to the report of a traffic accident on Grand Bahama Highway just west of Churchill Drive.  The officers initially on the scene of the accident discovered that the sole occupant of a 1994 burgundy Plymouth Voyager was ejected from the vehicle about thirty feet from the Highway, when the vehicle flipped over. 

The victim, a male age 43 years of Holmes Rock who received visible eternal injuries to the left leg and arm and his head, was transported to the Accident and Emergency Section of the Rand Memorial Hospital for medical treatment. On Friday 22nd January, 2010 at 1:45pm, the 43 year old victim of the traffic accident was listed in ‘critical’ condition. 

Officers from the Police Traffic Division are investigating this matter. Although it is known if speed was a factor at this time, We (the Police) would like to use this opportunity to advise the motoring public to adhere to the speed limit and not to get behind the steering  wheel of a car when they are fatique, under the influence of medication or alcohol.  They should drive to arrive alive and with consideration for other road users.