MLAs’ secretary arrested for armed robbery

Constituency office of Roy McTaggart and Winston Connolly in George Town

(CNS): A woman who works as a personal assistant to the two Coalition for Cayman George Town MLAs in their constituency office has been arrested by police on suspicion of two robberies. Police said the woman is a suspect in both an armed home invasion in Raleigh Quay in June and a hold-up at a George Town nail salon last month. Roy McTaggart and Winston Connolly issued a short statement Monday confirming that the woman arrested has worked in their MLA office on Shedden Road since July 2013, was facing serious allegations but they were not related to the work she does for them.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the serious allegations made against her by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS). These allegations are unrelated to the work she performs as our Personal Assistant in the MLA office,” said the two George Town MLAs, who are both part of the current government.  “We hope that the RCIPS can complete their investigations expeditiously so that justice may be served and the matter resolved in a timely manner.”

Christine Rae Smith (36) is not a civil servant but holds a political appointment, which is funded via the constituency allowance that all MLAs receive from the public purse to cover their office and support staff costs.

Police said the George Town woman was arrested on Thursday evening (6 August) on suspicion of robbery. On Friday evening a 38-year-old man also from George Town was arrested in connection with the same armed robberies. An RCIPS spokesperson confirmed that both suspects currently remain in police custody as the investigation continues.