Alleged car thief shot at Frenches

At 8:11 p.m. on a quiet Thursday night February 26, 2026, the community of Frenches was rudely awakened to the sound of gunfire. Seconds later, gunfire erupted once again, causing neighbours to look outside and to begin inquiring as to what caused the ruckus. There standing over a shirtless young man lying on the ground next to a dark coloured SUV was a male, armed with a firearm, warning him not to move.

According to information gathered by SEARCHLIGHT, the man on the ground had allegedly stolen a SUV, PE503, that was in the Solidarity Car park on the Kingstown Waterfront. When the owner went to collect his vehicle that is when it was realized that the vehicle was missing. Calls were made to friends who were on the lookout for it. The stolen vehicle was spotted making its way in the direction of Kingstown through the Frenches community.

It became obvious that the driver was not familiar with the layout of the Frenches community, and when challenged to stop and exit the vehicle, helped by a warning shot, he attempted to hit the owner with the vehicle. That is when the second shot was fired into his leg; he was then detained.

Information received also points to the thief hailing from the community of Vermont, and according to one police source, he is known to them.