Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a significant breakthrough in the recent spate of boat thefts in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Today, May 19, 2024, Faridson Jean Baptiste, a Haitian national, was formally charged with multiple offences including:
· Theft of TCI boat Marauder;
· Theft of TCI boat Jupiter;
· Theft of TCI boat Team Baja;
· Handling Stolen Goods; and
· Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI
Jean Baptiste was initially detained on April 5, 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that had been reported stolen. At the time of interception, he was transporting thirty irregular migrants.
He remains in custody pending a court date.
The arrest and subsequent charges are the result of a complex, multijurisdictional investigation conducted by the SCU and the Haitian National Police. This collaborative effort led to the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were found at various locations in Haiti. The total value of the recovered property is estimated to exceed $1.2 million.
The RTCIPF continues to work diligently to combat illegal activities and urges the public to report any suspicious activities. The police said further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
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