The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama Police are still searching for the suspect/suspects in connection with two rape incidents and one attempted robbery incident that occurred in Freeport.

ASP Stephen Rolle said there are no new leads into those matters.

The senior police official has confirmed that a recent posting on social media purporting that the alleged rapist apparently tried to rape a woman at Banana Bay Beach is false information.

A photo of a vehicle purporting to be that of the rapist was posted on WhatsApp by a woman who claimed she was exercising, but she was able to get away and got his license plate number.

ASP Rolle said that police have since spoken with the male individual who is very upset over the incident.

A police official at Urban and (NNWC) Grand Bahama, in a statement in response to the incident, said it was false information.

“These groups are not for you to create public fear because you heard something, or it was sent to you, and you want to be the first to notify a group you are in. You are sending around false information, photos of persons and persons’ vehicle plate number not knowing the facts can be damaging to the individual,” the statement read.

The statement said that such posting can be damaging to the character of the individual.

“We must consider the fact that the individual could have a spouse, children, family or involved in the community. Once you send something (and it goes) viral it cannot be taken back.”

The statement also said: “We want you to be vigilant and careful in your surroundings. If you have an incident contact the police and give us any photos or videos you may have. If you are not involved in an incident and do not know the facts, please do not post in the chats to create panic. Persons doing so will be suspended from the chats and an officer from our department will contact you or come and see you.”

“If a matter happens allow the police to investigate and disseminate the information to the public so the correct information can be passed. Please let us use the chats for what it was created for and that is creating safer communities.”