ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The police say they have made a major breakthrough in gang attack cases in Gregory Park, St Catherine, which occurred in 2021 and 2023, with Thursday’s arrest of a reputed member of the ‘Chargie Badness Gang’.

He has been identified as 23-year-old Tyrese Taylor, otherwise called ‘Reddy’, of Dover Avenue, Gregory Park.

Taylor is charged with four counts of murder, assault at common law, unlawful wounding, aiding and abetting, facilitating the commission of an applicable offence by a criminal organisation, principal in the first degree, being a participant in a criminal organisation, making use of a firearm to commit a felony, possession of a prohibited weapon, arson, unauthorised possession of ammunition, and shooting with intent.

Reports are that on August 9, 2021, Taylor and other members of the gang, armed with firearms, went to a restaurant and opened fire hitting 39-year-old Omar Ricketts of Christian Pen in the area before they escaped on foot. Ricketts was taken to hospital where he died.

Months later, on December 18, 2021, about 9:30 am, it is alleged that Taylor and other gang members entered a premises in the community, held two men at gunpoint, and bound their hands with electrical cords. One of the victims was allegedly beaten. However, they reportedly managed to free themselves later and alerted the police.

That same day, the armed men proceeded to another premises, the police said. There, they reportedly held another man at gunpoint, decapitated him with a machete and escaped with the severed head.

The deceased was identified as 30-year-old Rafiel Natty of Job Lane, Spanish Town, St Catherine. The police said his severed head was discovered hours later by residents on Cottage Drive in Gregory Park.

On August 12, 2023, it also alleged that Taylor and other members of the gang went to Walkers Avenue in Gregory Park about 3:00 am where they shot and killed 28-year-old Raneel Haughton, a taxi operator of Walkers Avenue.

The assailants reportedly then made their way to another premises on Walkers Avenue where they set several homes on fire, injuring 72-year-old Niomi Gocul, who later died from severe burns she sustained during the incident.

Taylor was apprehended during an operation in the parish. His court date is being finalised.

The police said investigations continue for the other suspects involved in the incident.