The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net 

THE Spanish Wells woman who went viral earlier this year after confronting officials during a demolition exercise has been arrested and charged again after authorities allegedly found four new structures built without permits on her property.

Dominique Pinder was arrested on August 4 after members of the Unregulated Communities Action Task Force returned to Spanish Wells last week and found the structures, according to task force chairman Superintendent Stephen Carey.

The arrest comes months after Ms Pinder and her brother, Blake Pinder, were charged following a heated confrontation with task force officials during a January demolition exercise that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.

Supt Carey said about 14 structures were demolished on the Spanish Wells property in January.

When officials returned last week, he said they found four new structures had been built without permits.

Ms Pinder was charged and released on bail. She is expected to appear in court on Thursday.

Six other people found on the property were also arrested for immigration purposes.

“To the landlords, we send out a stern warning that once we come and place 28 day notice on the structures, we will charge the landlords for allowing persons to build without a building permit,” Supt Carey said.

In January, Ms Pinder and Blake Pinder appeared before acting Magistrate Gwendolyn Patram and pleaded not guilty to disorderly behaviour, obscene language and abusive language arising from their confrontation with task force officials.

Blake Pinder also pleaded not guilty to obstruction.

The latest action came as the task force continued a 28-day eviction notice exercise in Eleuthera.

Supt Carey said 59 notices had been issued in Blackwood, where about 60 structures were demolished in 2024.

He said some people had since rebuilt structures there without permission.

A total of 63 eviction notices have been issued across Eleuthera.

Supt Carey said demolition exercises would continue in Abaco, Eleuthera and Andros, targeting people living in unregulated structures.

A demolition exercise is scheduled for Andros in early September.

He urged people living in unregulated structures to leave before officials arrive, warning that there would be no extensions or grace periods.