WESTERN BUREAU – Superintendent in charge of St James, Newton Amos, has credited his divisional intelligence unit with tracking down a teenager, described as one of the parish’s most wanted, who was shot and killed during a running gun battle with cops Tuesday night.

The man Stanford Anderson, 19, popularly know as “Chappie” and “Chaplain”, was wanted for a number of crimes committed in the parish.

“The police have spent night and day searching for this man and we were able to finally put a tag on him through our divisional intelligence unit, which is one of the best operating in the island right now,” Amos boasted.

“The operation was intelligence-driven, we knew that he was going to be there so we waited patiently for him before we took him on. It was an excellent job done by the police and it goes to show that the police are well-trained and equipped,” the commanding officer added.

Yesterday, lawmen appeared relieved that Anderson is now off the streets.

“We are elated – not elated that he is dead, but elated that he is taken in, one way or the other,” said one police officer.

“He was wanted for about four murders, shooting with intent, robbery, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.,” said Amos.

Anderson’s crimes, the superintendent added, included the double murder of Devon and Karlene Allen, the young couple who were brutally slain at their Bull Man residence in Cambridge, St James last November.

Anderson died wearing the couple’s earrings and other jewellery, Amos said.

Cops also blamed Anderson for last September’s killing of 54 year-old district constable, Leon Bailey who was gunned down in Cambridge.

The St James police reported that at about 11:30 pm Tuesday, members of a police party went in search of Anderson, based on information received via their intelligence unit. On reaching the vicinity of a train line in Bull Man, a group of gunmen opened fire, hitting two of the policemen in the party, cops said. The fire was returned, the police said, and Anderson was hit. A Webley revolver, with its serial number erased and containing five rounds of ammunition, was reportedly taken from the teen.

The three injured men were taken to hospital where Anderson was pronounced dead and the two policemen treated for minor injuries and released.