Police in Anguilla say they are vigorously investigating a case of arson involving two expensive excavators owned by Mr Greig Hughes, Manager of Greig’s Trucking and Heavy Equipment of South Hill.
In an effort to solve what is still a mystery, the Police have brought in a Forensic Scientist and Arson Investigator from Jamaica in the person of Mr Fitzmore Coates. He arrived in Anguilla on Wednesday, July 16, to commence his work.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, July 13, in the Spanish Town area where the machines were located. Each of the Hyundai Excavators 220/210 was imported from North Korea by Mr Grieg Hughes at a cost of US$250,000, a combined cost of US$500,000. The versatile machines are equipped with hammers for rock-breaking operations, as well as “buckets” for excavations. One of the excavators was imported in 2005 and the other in 2009.
Commissioner of Police, Rudolph Proctor, spoke to media representatives on Wednesday about the matter. “The Royal Anguilla Police Force Criminal Investigation Department has launched an arson investigation into the damage that occurred on Sunday evening to the equipment of Mr Greig Hughes,” he reported.
“So far, this seems to us to be a very malicious act, perpetrated by somebody against Mr Hughes’ equipment. Like any other investigation, we will leave no stone unturned in investigating this matter. Hence, we immediately requested the presence of a Forensic Scientist and Arson Investigator, Mr Fitzmore Coates, from Jamaica, who will be on island today, Wednesday; and we will be starting our arson investigations in terms of the examinations of the equipment.”
Mr Proctor said the cabs of the machines were burnt out, but he was unable to give any further details. He called on anyone having information, that could lead to the successful arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved in the incident, to contact the Police without delay.
“We are not going to pay any attention to what people are going to say – whether it is the Chief Minister’s son or whoever son,” Commissioner Proctor stated. “Mr Hughes is a businessman in the Anguilla community who has suffered a very expensive loss by somebody who has some sort of greed in their hearts. He is a hardworking young man who has established a well-known business in Anguilla, and to have suffered that type of loss is a setback for anybody, whether young or old. The Royal Anguilla Police Force is not focussing on individuals or what their status is. We have an investigation to do and we are going to do that investigation.”
