THE man who police believe to be the mastermind behind the recent attacks on courier company Beryllium Limited security teams has been slapped with 14 charges in relation to one incident.

According to a release from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Wednesday, 28-year-old Jevon Bashford is being charged under the new Firearms Act, the Anti-Gang Legislation and other laws, in relation to the attack on Beryllium security officers in St Thomas on Saturday, April 29.

Bashford, otherwise called “Bashy”, of Mandock Avenue, Big Lane in Central Village, St Catherine, has been charged with wounding with intent with use of a firearm; robbery with aggravation; shooting with intent; use of a firearm to commit a felony (two counts); possession of prohibited weapon; unauthorised possession of ammunition; stockpiling firearms; and stockpiling ammunition.

He has also been charged with possession of firearm and ammunition with intent to cause damage; being a participant of a criminal organisation; malicious destruction of properties; using conveyance to traffic firearms; facilitating the commission of an applicable offence by a criminal organisation; and conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravation

Last week the Jamaica Observer reported that the police had in custody four people, including the suspected mastermind, who were arrested in connection with three of the four recent incidents now under investigation, which occurred between February and April this year. These incidents saw the perpetrators pulling off multimillion-dollar heists.

Deputy commissioner of police in charge of crime and security Fitz Bailey had told the Observer that all four in custody are believed to have been involved in the first incident which occurred on February 27 at Portmore Pines Plaza where gunmen murdered one member of the Beryllium team and injured two others. The team was about to service automated banking machines at the JN Bank. The criminals made off with $10 million in cash in that incident.

He said that in relation to the second incident on March 19, when four Beryllium team members were shot and injured in an attack in Braeton Parkway, Portmore, St Catherine, one person has been charged, and one person was taken into custody on reasonable suspicion. That time, criminals made off with more than $23 million.

The police had previously reported that Shemar Yee from Spanish Town in St Catherine had been charged in that incident, and six other people were taken into custody in relation to the robbery.

Bailey said those six individuals have since been questioned and released.

He said that in relation to the third incident, which happened on April 29 at a petrol station in Albion, St Thomas, in which one security officer was injured, one person is in custody.

“That person is also suspected to be involved in the first two incidents. This person, we believe, might be the mastermind for all four incidents,” he said.

A bystander was shot and injured during the attack and a bag containing more than $100,000 was also stolen from the Beryllium truck.

Earlier that month, criminals attempted to rob a Beryllium vehicle in Balaclava, St Elizabeth. No one was injured in that incident and no money was stolen.

According to the JCF release, in relation to the St Thomas incident, intense investigations led to detectives from the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch conducting an operation on Jacques Road in Mountain View, Kingston on Friday, June 9, where two high-powered rifles and more than 70 assorted rounds of ammunition were seized.

“Bashford was taken into custody at that scene. He reportedly gave a caution statement in the presence of his attorney, was interviewed and subsequently charged. His court date is being arranged,” the release said.