By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
ASSISTANT Commissioner Leon Bethel said police have “nearly completed” their investigations into the alleged rape of a 15-year-old American tourist on Monday morning.
However, he said the matter is sensitive and not as straightforward as some people may think.
“The investigations are ongoing and it is almost completed. We still have two men in custody and they are fully co-operating,” he said.
“This is not a matter where a young lady was walking and someone snatched her off the road and raped her, it is not one of those matters.
“It is a matter where she reported this person whom she had met raped her. A woman can say no if you are making advances, and once you say no then it is rape. The victim’s family is also co-operating.”
Police have not released much information on the alleged rape, but The Tribune understands the teen girl was staying at Comfort Suites, Paradise Island with her mother when the incident occurred. Sources say the teen was raped while in the parking lot of the hotel around 1.45am by two men she knew only by their first names.
One of the men allegedly held her down while the other sexually assaulted her.
Aside from confirming that two men are being questioned, Assistant Commissioner Bethel declined to release any details about the incident because of the age of the victim.
The United States Embassy also released a short statement. “A female tourist was raped over the weekend. US Consular and security personnel are providing assistance in this case and are in touch with the family. Privacy considerations prevent us from discussing the specifics,” the statement said.
ACP Bethel also said police have stepped up patrols in tourist areas to ensure one of the country’s most valuable assets is fully protected.
He said: “We have switched around officers and we relocated some from other areas into the Central Division area. Therefore the manpower for patrols have been increased.
“We are using extra police reserves and of course we have extra officers for foot patrol in the downtown area. We have uniformed and plain clothes so we are going to make sure make we control the activities and monitor the movement of the tourists so we can be among them in case someone tries to do something.
“Once we get the additional resources you will see our presence even greater. We just ordered a new fleet of vehicles. This is all part of Commissoner of Police’s 2013 policing plan.”
Comments
concernedcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago
even worse then grabbing some girl off the street ,,she likes the boy ,trust him and is hanging out w/ him ,,then his friend holds her down so he can rape her ,,what kind of animal hold a girl down while his buddie rapes her ,,when i was young if we saw a fella pushing a girl too far we would grab him and stop it ,,if this is accurate they are animals ,,,,,,,,,
shortpants 10 years, 8 months ago
Word on the streets she flirted with everything in that hotel during that day .She's a little lair She knew exactly what she wanted they always do ..first she lied about her age.These people are real scammer's , why would you meet up with anyone in a new country whom you don't even have a clue about .Yes they are wrong for sleeping with her but that's what she wanted ......Most of the times these people spend their last dollar on these trips to make money when they reach here they don't have a dollar to pay for anything this is their game.Now don't forget mama may be part of this scam too money has to be made yes I repeat they were wrong but this happens all the time white girls looking to hook with these young males whom only think with the head with his one eye....Now everybody is crying wolf .....When every corner you turn right now this country is being drag through the mud ...thanks to all the idiots whom cried PLP back in power we can do whatever the HELL we feel like doing ....But please you idiots out there this is not PLP country this is OUR country Bahamians from every walk of life so lets help to keep us safe .
banker 10 years, 8 months ago
Your absolutely right -- it's the victims fault. She was asking for rape. You can tell by the way that she had to be held down. That's a dead give-away. And Mama set up her daughter to get raped so she can make money. Mama is a pimp. All they want is our money. Damn tourists. Go Home. Bahamas be for Bahamians. (I bet that you are a card-carrying PLP).
concernedcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago
@@shorpants what type of man holds a girl down for his buddy to rape ?? how is she or her mother going to make any money off this ??when these people stop coming here w/ their "last dollar" since we as a country produce very little ,how do we eat ???????????????
USAhelp 10 years, 8 months ago
What would happen if tourists stayed away for just 6 months bet some will sing a different tune. Shame on these tourists for coming to our land.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago
when Cuba opens the wailing will being ,and all of the arrogant ,we blessed by God ,numb nuts will curse the U/S for ending the embargo ,,Castro has been our real blessing ,,,certainly not our additude or service geez billions of dollars pumped into BEC in payroll,pensions and equipment ,in that order,and we can,t even keep the lights on ,,,,,,,,
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