crime
Yacht hijacked in Grenada – US sailors thrown off board?
The hope will not be given up that the Americans are still alive, said Grenada’s police chief. photo
© Kenton X. Chance/AP/dpa
Two sailors from the USA are missing in the Caribbean. Three suspected robbers on the run hijacked their yacht in Grenada. The suspects reappear in the neighboring country of St. Vincent.
According to police, three escaped suspected criminals hijacked the yacht of two Americans in the Caribbean state of Grenada and probably threw them overboard. There is no trace of the US citizens – a woman and a man – it said Grenada Police Chief Don McKenzie at a press conference.
Three men aged 19, 25 and 30 escaped from custody at a station south of Grenada’s capital St. George’s on February 18, according to police. They are accused of robbery, and one of the men is also accused of rape, among other things. Three days later, last Wednesday, they were caught in the neighboring island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. According to initial findings, the men went there on the catamaran that they had stolen.
“The information indicates that they disposed of the occupants while traveling between Grenada and St. Vincent,” McKenzie said. Hope is not given up that the Americans are still alive, even if this is unlikely.
The US sailing organization Salty Dawg Sailing Association described the missing people as long-time members and warm-hearted people. Their boat “Simplicity” was found anchored off a beach on the island of St. Vincent.