Man in custody for murder of homeless people in St Ann
ST ANN, Jamaica — The St Ann police say they have nabbed a man they believe is involved in the killing of five homeless people in the parish.
According to the commanding officer for the St Ann division, Senior Superintendent of police, Dwight Powell, the man was arrested on Thursday during an operation in the division.
“Today, I’m happy to report a major breakthrough in the arrest of a suspect implicated in the commission of five murders in the St Ann division since the start of this year, 2023. Most of the victims of these crimes were mentally challenged and considered street people. As a result of intensive investigations carried out by detectives assigned to the Ocho Rios police station, the suspect was tracked down and arrested in the parish on Thursday, September 14,” SSP Powell said.
“The detectives are now earnestly processing the suspect…as soon as he is charged, we will provide additional details,” he continued, as he thanked the police for their efforts in nabbing the suspect.
This is the second suspect arrested on charges relating to the killing of street people across the island. Late last month, Ronaldo Ricketts, who is suspected of killing five homeless people in St James was arrested. Last Thursday Ricketts was charged for the murder of Mark Thompson following a question and answer session in the presence of his lawyer. Thompson was killed around 11:44 pm on August 19, 2023 and his body found on St Claver Avenue in Montego Bay. Also on Thursday, Ricketts was charged for the murder of another man who was killed on Barnett Street in the western city. That man remains unidentified.
In regards to Thursday’s arrest in St Ann, SSP Powell said the St Ann police are dedicated in their efforts to ensure the parish remains safe for all.
“I want to use this media to appeal to anyone with information especially around the street people murders in St Ann to make contact with the St Ann police department or any of the force’s confidential lines,” he said.