DATE: 2024-10-10 03:30 LOCATION: Venezuela – Offshore03 EVENT: Assault HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: None SECURED: Does not apply DETAILS: A monohull singlehander departed Grenada for Colombia. Unfortunately bad weather and rough conditions led to equipment failures and some injuries(broken ribs). At position 12-09.3N and 069-34.8W, approximately 40 nmiles from Venezuela and 50nmiles from Aruba at 0330HRs the captain was motorsailing with AIS Tx OFF and only the anchor light showing. No other vessels/lights were visible to the yacht.
The captain was injured when a bullet crossed from the port side, into the open cockpit enclosure, passed in front of his face and ricocheted off the cockpit enclosure frame and then grazed his hand. No vessels could be seen nearby, no further shots were fired, and no vessel approached. The captain diverted north to Aruba and contacted port control on arrival. He was met by the Coast Guard, three of them boarded, provided assistance in anchoring and took a report. The normal inspections were made. The captain treated his own injuries and did not require medical assistance. ID: 3394
DATE: 2024-02-18 22:00 LOCATION: Grenada – Grenada – Grand Anse EVENT: Assault Resulting in Death HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: personal items and dinghy – active crime scene in hands of police SECURED: Unknown DETAILS: A cruising catamaran that had been anchored off Grand Anse, Grenada, was found poorly anchored with a shredded jib off the coast of Wallilabou, St. Vincent on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Upon inspection it was found that the yacht had been ransacked, and it was apparent a violent act had taken place. Copious amounts of blood were found in the master stateroom, and the two owners were missing. Also missing (later recovered) was the yachts dinghy. Many personal items were also missing. Passports found onboard allowed authorities to make contact with the victims’ emergency contact.
Three(3) suspects were taken into custody in St. Vincent on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 21. The three were being held In custody in Grenada on charges including robbery w/violence, rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and causing harm before their escape on Sunday, February 18. They had escaped from their holding cell in Grenada the day the yachts AIS track moved from Grenada to St. Vincent, departing Grenada at 2200HRS Sunday night, February 18, and arriving SVG Monday, February 19.
The Royal Grenada Police Force has issued a press release that indicates they are working with their SVG counterparts and have sent investigators to the yacht which is now considered a crime scene and being held by the SVG Coast Guard. Although this investigation is in its early stages there is grave concern about the welfare of the owners.
UPDATE 3/4/2024
Officials in both Grenada and SVG have declared the 2 missing cruisers as likely deceased, but have not recovered their bodies. A magistrate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines today ordered that the three Grenadian fugitives who are suspected of murdering the 2 cruisers after escaping from a police station in St. George’s, Grenada be repatriated. They had all been charged and plead guilty to immigration violations in SVG. No additional charges were being brought against the three men in SVG.
UPDATE 3/8/2024
Three Grenadian fugitives were repatriated and appeared before a Grenadian magistrate on 3/7/2024. The following media release was made by the RGPF :
MEDIA RELEASE DATE: Thursday 7th March 2024
Recaptured Prisoners Charged with Capital Murder and other Serious Offences, Remanded
Ron Mitchell, 30 years old, Unemployed, Atiba Stanisclaus, 25 years old, Farmer and Trevon Robertson, 23 years old, Unemployed, all of Paradise, St. Andrew, were jointly charged with two counts of Capital Murder by intentionally causing the death of Ralph Hendry and Kathleen Brandel, Citizens of the United States of America.
They were also charged for the offences of Escaping Lawful Custody, Housebreaking, Robbery, and two counts of Kidnapping. Additionally, Atiba Stanislaus, was charged with one count of rape.
All three made their first court appearance at St. George’s Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday 7th March 2024, and were remanded to His Majesty’s Prison.
They are scheduled to be brought back to court on Wednesday 27th March 2024.
DATE: 2023-12-28 05:00 LOCATION: Saint Martin (France) – Sandy Ground Bridge EVENT: Assault HAND: 2 STOLEN ITEMS: unknown SECURED: Locked DETAILS: After stealing a flaregun/flares from another yacht, (see 3189) five hooded men broke through the companionway of an occupied monohull and fired flares/smoke bombs into the cabin. A crew member used wasp spray to repel the attackers. The police were called and the Coast Guard summoned on VHF16. The police arrived about 45 minutes later and took a preliminary report. The captain received a head injury and was later treated/released from the hospital. ID: 3190
DATE: 2023-12-22 22:30 LOCATION: Colombia – Santa Marta – Taganga Bay EVENT: Assault HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: Everything – electronics ( InReach, laptop, phones ), cash, tools +++ SECURED: Does not apply DETAILS: A yacht anchored alone in the bay was boarded by four masked men each armed with a handgun at 2230HRS. The captain was pistol whipped and crew held at gunpoint while the boat was ransacked. The attackers demanded the drugs they thought were onboard. They stole electronics (inReach, laptop, phones), cash and jewelry, plus other assorted items.
The thieves were unable to steal the well secured dinghy as the keys were lost in the mess they created. Some of the thieves paddled their unpowered boat ashore to unload the stolen items and returned for more and their companions. The entire event lasted about an hour. The captain self-treated his head wounds.
A report to consular officials was planned, and the boat left the bay. ID: 3176
DATE: 2023-12-22 18:30 LOCATION: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Mayreau – Saline Bay EVENT: Assault HAND: 1 STOLEN ITEMS: nothing SECURED: N/A DETAILS: A cruiser returned to his beached dinghy in Saline Bay at approximately 18:30HRS. He was attacked by a man with a machete, and thrown down on the sand and held there with a knee to his back.
The attacker demanded his money and “gold”. The cruiser told him there was 5 ECD in the wallet in the dinghy and was asked if there was money on the boat. The cruiser told him only the 5 ECD as there was no ATM on Mayreau. He wore no watch or jewelry.
The attacker threatened to cut off his head and told him to remain down, which he did as the assailant moved away into the trees. After a short time he called out that he could go. The cruiser was not injured, did not look back and rowed to a friends boat nearby. The 5 ECD was left behind.