Fri, 2019-08-23

Around 12:30pm Friday, August 23rd police officers responded to a report of a theft.

It appears that a female visitor’s handbag was removed from the basket of her rental scooter, which was parked at the Horseshoe Bay beach parking lot.

No weapons were used and there were no reported injuries.

The suspects were described as two young black males wearing white T-shirts and black helmets. Both suspects escaped on one motorcycle.

Police officers on mobile patrol later located and pursued the two suspects traveling on the same motorcycle in the City of Hamilton area.

As they attempted to evade police, the suspects were involved in a collision with a private car near the entrance to the Transport Control Department (TCD) on North Street and fled on foot into the surrounding marsh area.

However, it is understood that no one in the car was hurt and that the stolen handbag was recovered intact at the scene of the collision.

A search for both suspects was conducted in the vicinity of TCD with the assistance of a K9 unit and a 15 year old male was arrested in connection with this incident.

The second suspect is still being sought by police.

Inquiries continue and any witnesses or members of the public with relevant information are encouraged to call the main police telephone number 295-0011 or the independent and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.

Update: Sunday, August 25th - A 15 year old boy arrested in connection with the theft of a handbag from a female visitor’s rental scooter basket that occurred around 12:15pm Friday, August 23rd has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Meanwhile, efforts to locate the second male suspect continue.

It now appears that the female visitor, said to be a 52 year old Canadian woman, was riding a rental scooter into the parking lot at Horseshoe Bay beach when two young black males on a motorcycle approached from behind, with the pillion passenger removing her handbag from the rental scooter’s basket.

Apparently the 52 year old woman alerted her family members, who attempted to stop the two suspects on the motorcycle from leaving, but the young men were able to escape with the handbag.

Later Friday afternoon – following a police pursuit in the City of Hamilton area that ended when the suspects crashed the motorcycle they were traveling on into a private car near the Transport Control Department on North Street – the stolen handbag was recovered intact and the abandoned motorcycle used by the two suspects was impounded for forensic examination.

Inquiries continue and any witnesses are now encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Department on 247-1744.

Alternatively, confidential tips can be provided by calling the independent and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477, or by visiting the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website www.crimestoppers.bm.

Update: Tuesday, August 27th - A 17 year old male has been arrested in connection with the theft of a handbag from a 52 year old female Canadian visitor’s rental scooter basket that occurred around 12:15pm Friday, August 23rd in the parking lot at Horseshoe Bay beach, Southampton.

He remains in police custody at this time pending further inquiries.

A 15 year old boy arrested later Friday afternoon in connection with this incident has since been released on police bail.

Inquiries continue and any witnesses are still encouraged to call the Criminal Investigation Department on 247-1744.

Alternatively, confidential tips can be provided by calling the independent and anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477, or by visiting the Crime Stoppers Bermuda website www.crimestoppers.bm.

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