On Wednesday, 28th August 2024, between 4:30 PM and 9:00 PM, a robbery occurred at the 1st National Bank St. Lucia Limited, located in Choc, Castries. The perpetrators gained unauthorised access to the bank’s Automated Banking Machine (ABM) in a brazen act.
Investigators embarked on a thorough and challenging investigation, carefully following up on all leads and exploring various lines of inquiry. As a result of their efforts, on 1st October 2024, Joel Phulgence was arrested and charged with three counts of kidnapping, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, and one count of robbery. Corneil St. Louis was also arrested and charged with three counts of kidnapping and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. Joel Phulgence was remanded into custody by the court, while Corneil St. Louis was granted bail.
Investigators continued to explore additional lines of inquiry and followed up on all leads relating to this incident. On Wednesday, 22nd January 2025, RSLPF personnel conducted a joint exercise in Sans Souci, Castries, which resulted in the execution of a Warrant to Search for Property at the residence of forty-seven-year-old (47) Palmerston Celestine, a person of interest in the robbery investigation.
During the execution of this search warrant, officers recovered a quantity of controlled drugs, namely cannabis and cocaine. Consequently, the Criminal Investigations Department in Castries initiated an investigation into these recoveries, leading to Palmerston Celestine being charged with the following offences:
• Two counts of possession of controlled drugs.
• Two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
Whilst the investigations into these drug-related matters were being conducted, personnel from the Special Investigations Unit were actively pursuing leads regarding Palmerston’s involvement in the robbery on 28th August 2024 at Choc, Castries. The evidence collected by the investigators was probative, and as a result, Palmerston was also charged with three counts of Kidnapping, one count of Robbery, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.
Palmerston Celestine was taken before the Magistrate’s Court, where he made an application for bail on the matters for which he was charged. In relation to the drug offences, he was granted bail in the sum of twelve thousand Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD 12,000). Following the additional charges brought against him in relation to the robbery, Palmerston was escorted to the First District Court for a bail hearing, where he was remanded into custody.
It is important to acknowledge that, in cases of this nature, investigations can sometimes take time. However, this is a necessary part of ensuring that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined, particularly when dealing with complex and organised criminal activities. The detectives of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) remain steadfast in their commitment to resolving such cases and dismantling criminal networks, working diligently to ensure the safety and security of all members of the public.
