By Admin. Updated 6:26 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said on Monday (March 4) three men who escaped police custody in Grenada and are main suspects in the disappearance of two U.S. citizens are being sent back to Grenada.
The men were caught in St. Vincent after fleeing Grenada with a yacht operated by the Americans who are still missing and presumed dead.
In a statement on February 26, Superintendent of Police and Head of Police Public Relations of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force – Junior Simmons said a joint investigation is ongoing with the Royal Grenada Police Force into the disappearance and presumed death of two (2) United States citizens namely, Ralph Hendry and his common-law wife, Kathy Brandel.
The main suspects in the investigation are the three (3) male prisoners who escaped lawful custody on Sunday 18th February 2024 while being held at the South St. George Police Station in Grenada on charges of Rape, Robbery with Violence, and other serious offences. The names of the suspects/escapees are – Ron Mitchell, 30 years, Trevon Robertson, 25 years and Atiba Stanislaus, 23 years, all of Paradise, St. Andrew, Grenada,” he said.
In a press release, police said the three (3) Grenadian escapees appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate Court today (March 4, 2024) for sentencing after they pleaded guilty to four (4) counts of immigration-related offences on February 26, 2024.
“Senior Magistrate, His Honour Colin John issued a Removal Order for the men to be repatriated to Grenada. He further remanded them into custody at His Majesty’s Prison until preparations are finalized for their removal from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),” police said in the release.
The Commissioner of Police (Acting), Mr. Enville Williams thanked the officers who were involved in the operation that recaptured the fugitives and members of the public who assisted the police in doing so.
According to the release, he said: “I wish to express thanks to all of the persons who played a role in the recapture of the three Grenadians who had escaped custody in Grenada and were later apprehended in St. Vincent”.
“I particularly wish to commend the police officers for their valiant effort, members of the SVG Coast Guard Service who conducted search and rescue operations for the missing persons, and residents of the community of Petit Bordel for refusing to provide a haven for the escapees,” the acting commissioner added, according to the press release.
How the men illegally entered SVG, according to the February 26 report:
In a statement on February 26, Superintendent of Police in SVG – Mr. Junior Simmons said: “The investigation thus far indicates that after the escapees/suspects escaped, they hijacked a yacht named “Simplicity” that was moored at Grande Anse Beach in Grenada and kidnapped the couple. The investigation further reveals that while sailing from Grenada, the suspects committed several criminal acts including bodily harm to the couple”.
He said: “On Monday 19th February 2024, the escapees/suspects illegally entered the South Western Coast of SVG, sometime in the afternoon and docked the yacht off Walliabou Anchorage”.
“On Wednesday 21st February 2024, the police received certain information concerning the escapees and the discovery of ayacht in the said area. A manhunt was immediately launched and the SVG Coast Guard and the Crime Scene Unit (CSU) weredispatched to the location where the yacht was found,” he added.
“The scene was processed and found to be consistent with signs of violence. Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board. There was no discovery of bodies on board the yacht,” he said.
“About 4:35 p.m. later the same day, the three escapees/suspectswere apprehended by the police in the village of Petit Bordel on the North Western coast of SVG. The Grenadian authorities were subsequently informed about the escapees’ arrest. A team of investigators from the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday 22ndFebruary 2024 and are assisting with the investigations. The escapees/suspects have been cooperating with the investigation,” Mr. Simmons said.
He said: “The Regional Security System (RSS), and the Grenadian and Vincentian Coast Guards are conducting air and maritime patrols and surveillance across the borders of both islands but no bodies have been recovered”.
“Based on the investigation thus far, it is presumed that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are deceased. The Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime, Mr. Trevor Bailey met with the family members of the couple and a legal representative and updated them on the status of the investigation. The RSVGPF sympathizes with the family during this difficult time,” he said.
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