By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 27th August 2021) — Well-known social media video blogger Romnage Benjamin, better known as ‘Shaq’ and ‘Modelcop’, captured his own arrest during his live Facebook coverage of a ‘KITTITIAN LIVES MATTER peaceful walk’ event held on Friday 20th August 2021 on Church Street in Basseterre. Benjamin, a former member of the St. Christopher and Nevis Police, accused the approaching officer of “looking a reason to arrest me,” saying: “All over the world, you see persons are reporting information, bringing information to the people and they are recording. But here in St. Kitts, none of that! St. Kitts is unique!” His live recording — spanning 39 minutes and 51 seconds — attracted 11,000 views and over 300 shares.
A police statement issued on Wednesday 25th August named Benjamin among three persons “charged, and subsequently received bail, as a result of an illegal gathering that occurred on August 20, 2021.” The two others were Annivea Hutchinson of St. Paul’s and Pretha Thom of Dorset Village, both bailed at $15,000. Benjamin received a total of ten (10) charges — for Obstruction; Taking Part in a Public Procession Without the Written Permission of the Chief of Police; Taking Part in a Public March in the Daylight Without a Permit; Taking Part in a Prohibited Procession; Behaving in a Manner with Intent to Provoke a Breach of the Peace; and Attending a Mass Gathering to wit a Public Procession — plus five (5) additional charges for similar offences committed on August 2, 2021. He received bail on August 23rd in the sum of $15,000 with two sureties, must report to Basseterre Police Station every Monday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., and is scheduled to appear at Basseterre Magistrate Court on October 4, 2021. Hutchinson was charged on August 22nd for similar offences and bailed at $15,000, must report to Dieppe Bay Police Station every Monday, and is also scheduled for court October 4th. Thom was charged on August 21st for Battery of Police; Battery; Resisting Arrest; Obstruction; Malicious Damage and Indecent Language, bailed at $15,000, and scheduled for Basseterre Magistrate Court October 4th.