ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Two men were slapped with kidnapping and arson charges after a gun in Central Village, St Catherine, allegedly went missing.

Charged are 21-year-old Romario Bloomfield otherwise called ‘ Coco’, farmer, and 20-year-old Anthony Thomas, otherwise called ‘Biggs’, a labourer, both from Central Village.

They were charged with three counts of assault at common law and kidnapping, four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, five counts of arson, as well as possession of a prohibited weapon.

Reports from the police are that a boy was approached by a man who accused him of stealing a gun. The man was later joined by about 20 armed men, which allegedly included Bloomfield and Thomas, who took the boy to another section of the community against his will. He was allegedly beaten with boards and guns. The group of armed men then visited the boy’s house where they pointed guns at the occupants and threatened them. Then men then set the house on fire.

Bloomfield and Thomas were apprehended during an operation in the Little Lane area of Central Village. Charges were laid against them on Wednesday, September 6 after an interview session in the presence of their attorneys.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, July 23, 2023 and Monday, July 24, 2023 about 7:30 am.

Their court date is being finalised.