The Royal Turks & Caicos Police Force are urging people to make the link between buying stolen goods and fuelling further crime, drug abuse and misery in their community. Officers say that the cheap deals on a flat screen TV, jewelry or mobile phone you may be offered on the street or at your door has probably been taken through a local burglary, a theft or a robbery.
In some cases criminals may have used or threatened violence to obtain the items they are offering for sale. Every criminal act leaves a victim who has not only lost valuables but is left distressed and possibly emotionally scarred. Stolen items may have sentimental value and therefore be sorely missed and irreplaceable. By refusing to buy goods you suspect may have been stolen you can help stem further crime, deprive drug users of cash and thus force them into rehabilitation. Criminals use money made from dealing drugs to live extravagant lifestyles and fund other serious crimes such as armed robberies. Don’t become part of a crime ring make the link and break the chain by refusing to buy stolen goods.
People are urged to report criminals selling stolen goods either directly to police on 941-3327 or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477.
Police public relations officer Audley Astwood said: We want people to stop and think before they snap up a bargain mobile phone or piece of jewelry no questions asked on the streets. Who owned that piece of property yesterday and how does that victim feel today? Could you happily use it knowing that it was possibly taken with violence leaving its proper owner injured and frightened? That owner could easily have been someone in your family, circle of friends or a neighbor. Also you need to ask what will the money you hand over be used for and what longer-term effect it will have on your community. I am certain that the majority of people when they have thought this through will say no thanks and hopefully report the incident directly to police or if they prefer anonymously through Crimestoppers.
We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
PREVENTION CRIME TIP – VEHICLE OWNERS
COPY YOUR LICENSE PLATE AND VEHICLE INFORMATION (VIN) NUMBERS ON A CARD AND KEEP THEM WITH YOU. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS STOLEN, THE POLICE WILL NEED THIS INFORMATION.
Please visit the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force website at www.tcipolice.tc or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rtcipffor Crime Reports and additional Crime Prevention Tips.