KINGSTON, Jamaica – Three men have been formally charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a man in Toby Heights, May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday, May 02.

They are 30-year-old Bernard Townsend, labourer of Crescent district, Spanish Town, 23-year-old Jamar Kidd, otherwise called ‘Little Wicked’, labourer of Port Henderson Road and 29-year-old Jaseth McLean, otherwise called ‘Storm,’ of Old Harbour, all in St. Catherine.

Reports are that on Friday May 01, the victim was at his home in Clarendon when the men entered his premises and demanded money and other valuables. When their demands were not met, the men allegedly took the victim from his home and held him hostage. A sum of J$12 million was demanded for his release.

The police were alerted and the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Branch commenced a probe into the matter. Investigations led to the apprehension of the suspects and subsequent release of the victim. 

The men were later charged with kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to extort, robbery with aggravation and participating in a criminal organization.

All three men are scheduled to reappear before the May Pen Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 18.