KINGSTON, Jamaica — Police say three men were arrested and several firearms seized after they thwarted a planned robbery on Thursday.

Reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit are that investigations carried out by the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch C-TOC, revealed that a gang operating out of Arnette Gardens, Kingston was planning to rob an armoured vehicle in the Kingston 5 area.

The plan was however dashed when C-TOC conducted an operation in the area. One 9mm Glock 17 pistol with a magazine containing 13 9mm rounds and one Colt .45 pistol with a magazine containing three .45 rounds of ammunition were seized in the operation and two men arrested.

In a follow-up operation on Friday, a team from C-TOC, supported by police officers from the St Catherine South Division, arrested another member of the gang and seized an AK-47 rifle and several rounds of ammunition at a house in Cooreville Gardens, St Andrew.

Deputy commissioner of police in charge of crime, Glenmore Hinds, noted that both operations ended without any major incident and without the use of deadly force.

“This is an indication of the high level professionalism and respect for human rights that members of the constabulary displayed. The Police High Command continues to appeal to criminals not to challenge the police when confronted but to surrender peacefully,” he said.

The suspects held are expected to be charged shortly.