53-year-old charged with dishonestly diverting electricity from VINLEC pole

By Admin. Updated 3:23 p.m., Tuesday, January 30, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Police say they have arrested and charged Hancell Francis, a 53-year-old Mason of Richland Park, for without lawful authority, dishonesty diverted electricity from a St. Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) utility pole powerlines to his house.

VINLEC, a state-owned company is the sole legal supplier of electricity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

In a press release issued today (January 30), the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force said: “The offence was committed on Friday January 26, 2024 about 1:20 p.m. in Richland Park. Francis appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate Court on Monday 29th January 2024 and pleaded not guilty to the charge”.

“He was granted bail in the sum of $1000.00 EC with one surety. The matter was adjourned and transferred to the Calliaqua Magistrate Court for trial on February 02, 2024,” the release stated.

Electricity theft is generally unheard of in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.