The sunken remains of an 18-foot sea craft, believed to be the boat on which a missing Freeport man was travelling, was discovered by U.S Coast Guards on Wednesday morning in waters off Grand Bahama.
A police statement released over the weekend reported that a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, participating in the search effort for 33-year-old Leslie Demeritte, alerted authorities in Freeport that a capsized white 18’ft. speedboat was floating in waters some 25 miles southeast of Grand Bahama.
However, by the time officers from the Central Detective Unit and Marine Patrol arrived at the location the boat had sunk in waters some 1,000 ft. deep.
Reports stated that no persons or bodies were located; however, officers noticed a large number of huge sharks congregating in the area.
Investigations are continuing and police in the northern region are jointly searching for Mr. Demeritte, who was reported missing by his brother, and are requesting the public’s assistance in locating him.
Authorities have released a photo of Mr. Demeritte, who is said to be about 6′.1” tall, weighing around 200 pounds, of brown complexion and sporting a low haircut, mustache and goatee beard.
According to police, John Rolle, 41, of Coral Reef Lane, reported to Alice Town, Bimini police on Friday, March 17, that his brother Leslie was missing.
Mr. Rolle told police that he last saw his brother on Thursday, March 2, at about 9:00 a.m. on West Beach road, but he was unable to describe what his brother was wearing.
Mr. Rolle told police his brother travelled to Bimini aboard a white 18 ft. Paramount boat with a 200 horse power Yamaha engine, along with a Jamaican woman named Hillary Crawley and a man wanted by police for armed robbery, whose photo was said to have been published in the local newspapers and on ZNS TV-13 nearly two weeks ago.
Police say Mr. Rolle also said that he believes his brother may have left Bimini en route to South Florida, along with Andre Dames and Bernard Forbes of Bimini, whose whereabouts are also unknown.
Police are urging members of the community who may have information regarding this matter to contact the following numbers in Grand Bahama: 350-3106, 352-9774 or 5, 911, or Crime Tipsters 352-1919. All information will be kept in the strictest of confidence.
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER, Freeport News Reporter
