WRECKER driver Michael Blair, 46, was granted bail in the sum of $50,000 when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Blair was arrested and charged with extortion by members of the Anti-Corruption Branch following an incident on Wednesday, March 14.

Police personnel were conducting an operation in the Red Hills Road area of Kingston, when officers noticed a motor vehicle parked along the roadway which was obstructing the free flow of traffic. The wrecker service where Blair worked was contacted and given instructions by the police to remove the vehicle from the roadway and take it to the pound.

The police alleged that while he was in the process of placing the vehicle on the wrecker, the owner turned up and pleaded with Blair for a chance. Blair, it was further alleged, then demanded that he be paid $20,000 to release the vehicle and allegedly told the owner that if the vehicle was taken to the pound, he would have to pay more to retrieve his vehicle.

The matter was reported to the police and he was arrested.

The matter is set for trial on June 26.