Door to deFreitas’ branch office broken in, but nothing of value taken; UPP Candidate believes it was meant as a scare tactic
The St. John’s City South branch office of the United Progressive Party was vandalized, with the discovery made this morning, December 6, and Candidate Franz deFreitas says it might be an intimidatory or scare tactic.
Reports are that, sometime before 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, there was a loud bang – or what some residents describe as an explosion – in the vicinity of the branch office in Ovals.
The sound apparently woke two neighbours, and they sought to check their premises; however, they did not venture outside, since it was very dark, and that portion of Andy Roberts Street is poorly lit.
DeFreitas says he was notified by a female resident, at about 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday, that the door to the branch office had been smashed in, and the Police were subsequently notified.
The Candidate reports that, upon initial checks of the premises, it was determined that nothing had been stolen – but a pair of shoes had been left in the office.
It has not yet been determined whether the footwear belonged to the perpetrator, but the Police said they would take them in as evidence as they probe the matter.
DeFreitas notes that an executive meeting had been held on Monday night, up until 9:30 p.m., and no one remembers those shoes being left behind.
Meanwhile, he says that nothing of value – that is, no data – is kept at the branch office. What is kept there are text books, pens and paper, and other educational items, since classes are held at that location
DeFreitas says this attack has given him a greater resolve to continue the fight for the people of City South, who have been neglected for decades under the incumbent, Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin.
In the meantime, deFreitas believes that something must have scared off the perpetrator. But he will be relying on CCTV footage from neighbouring homes to identify the offender, he says.
It has not been determined, as yet, what was used to damage the branch office’s door. No implement was found on the scene, but fragments from the door ended up as far as the reception area, deFreitas says.
He says that door has been in place for over 20 years, and it will have to be replaced. Accordingly, he is in the process of sourcing funds to have this done by later today.