Burglar shot dead by police in house at Cane Garden

The police, often criticized for their actions, received praise on Tuesday in relation to an incident in which a burglar was shot and killed at Cane Garden.

Dead is Leon “Buyaka” Samuel of New Montrose and Long Wall, while another man, Kirk Williams of Sion Hill, is assisting police with investigations into a burglary.

On October 10, at around 4 p.m., police officers were called to Cane Garden, after someone reported a burglary in progress at the home of businessman Anis Issa.

When the lawmen arrived at Issa’s home, they met Williams outside the property and arrested him, but Samuel refused to exit the house when asked to do so by officers.

The police entered the property and reports are that Samuel attacked an officer with a crowbar and as a result was shot in the chest. He was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), where he later died.

When the story, broke, social media erupted, but took a twist we are not accustomed to, as commentators commended the police for what they considered “good work.”

Comments read: “Great news job well done officers”; “Great job officers…who don’t hear will feel” and “Me glad even if it was anyone of my family, I would … say the same thing. I always say work for what you want.”

A source close to the police said that Williams, the other man caught at scene of the burglary, told officers that he never entered the premises, but unconfirmed reports are that he jumped from a patio and damaged his foot when he realized the gig was up.

Reports are that the area where Issa lives was on the alert, as a house had been broken into in that same area on Monday, while Issa’s sister’s home had also been burglarized about two weeks ago.

Up to press time, Williams had not been charged for a crime, but a police source said the matter was still under investigation and most likely he would be charged.

Samuel and Williams are no strangers to the law, as last November, they were charged for burglaries and were on bail for those offences when this incident occurred. Interestingly, the two were charged with entering and stealing thousands of dollars in cash and items from several business places, including that of Mona Dare, the sister of Issa, whose home was burglarized on Tuesday.

Samuel and Williams, along with Recardo Bacchus of Long wall, were jointly charged for three counts of burglary, committed between November 10 and 11, 2016 at Kingstown. It is said that they entered the Majestic Express building as trespassers and stole EC$7,095.52 in cash and goods. Their haul included $4,800 in cash, plus cologne, shoes, shorts, T-shirts, jewellery, books, smartphones and other electronic devices.

The three were also charged that between October 26 and 28, 2016 at Middle Street, Kingstown, they entered the Fred J Dare & Co Limited Store as trespassers and stole cash and items valued at EC$27,886. Stolen was EC$5,000 in cash, more than 1,000 ladies’ panties, electronics, travelling bags, men’s underwear and watches.

They were also charged that on October 14, 2016 at Kingstown, they entered the Fred J Dare and Co Ltd Store as trespasser and stole the sums of EC$23,267 and US$1,450 in cash, the property of Mona Dare of Cane Garden.

However, only Bacchus faced jail time when he appeared in court on Monday, June 19, as he pleaded guilty and Samuel and Williams pleaded not guilty. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison and the bail of Samuel and Williams continued. However, Williams will now have to face the court by himself.

This shooting comes on the heels of a warning issued to criminals last week by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

“It (crime) might appear to be the easier path, but it carries enormous risks of jail, serious injury or premature death; try to get out of that business…,” the Prime Minister stated.(LC)