ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — Five people have been charged with the murder of Kingston businessman Howard Ares whose body was found in a shallow grave on Terminal Lane in Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine last month.

Ares, whose body was found on December 16, was said to be transacting business with people in the area when a dispute developed. He was allegedly kidnapped, shot and buried when their demands were not met.

Police say the accused people, who were arrested in a series of operations over the course of a week from December 29, 2018 to January 5, have been identified as 25 year-old Marvin Wright, otherwise called ‘Skull’ and ‘Indian’ a labourer of March Pen Road in Spanish Town; Andrew Clement otherwise called ‘Bush’, a 26-year-old welder of Walkers Road, Old Harbour; 28-year-old year-old Andrae Bailey, otherwise called ‘Pah’, a jack hammer operator of Old Harbour Bay; 25-year-old Javene Simpson, otherwise called ‘Kermaine’, a labourer of Old Harbour Bay; and 26-year-old Rochelle Wright, a dancer of Old Harbour Bay.

The five have been charged jointly with murder, conspiracy to murder, robbery with aggravation, extortion, kidnapping, assault with intent to rob, conspiracy to prevent the burial of a corpse, burglary and robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition

All five will answer to the charges in the St Catherine Parish Court on Friday, January 18.