A Bahamas police officer was arrested and charged in connection with automobile theft.
The incident is believed to be the tip of the iceberg, confirming allegations that auto theft in the Bahamas is controlled by police officers.
The active duty police officer was arrested after being found in posession of two stolen cars. Police think that the officer may also have been involved in the actual theft of the cars.
The allegedly crooked cop is believed to be a small fish in the big sea of corrupt polcie officers who allegedly control drugs, auto theft, gun running and human smuggling in The Bahamas.
Constable Lorene Mortimer appeared before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez in Court One, Bank Lane. Prosecutors allege that she and her accomplice, 36-year-old Charmaine Wright, stole a 2005 silver Toyota Forerunner – licence plate number 148816 – between Sunday, February 6 and Monday, February 7, 2011.
The car, which belonged to Cameron Symonette, is valued at $22,000 according to court documents.
Insiders say police found the registration discs of the previous car owners in the women’s homes and that the two women had gone ahead and licensed both cars in their names.
The story indicates that, once again, the police and the media are trying to play games with the Bahamian public.
The headlines read that an “ex” police officer was arraigned before the court.
Truth is, the allegedly crooked cop became an “ex” officer only hours before she was taken to court.
When she was arrested, she was an active on-duty police officer.
Both women pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Roger Gomez granted them each $5,000 bail with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to Friday, October 21.
