SPALDING, Clarendon — Police say they have advanced their probe into Sunday’s attempted robbery and shootout here with detectives ascertaining that one of four gunmen, who surrendered after a tense, hours-long stand-off, is from the nearby community of Sanguinetti.

His cronies, one identified as a 26-year-old, the other two, both aged 28, are from Toll Gate in Clarendon. A senior police source told the Jamaica Observer that detectives are probing whether the suspect from Sanguinetti orchestrated the attempted robbery, which was foiled by a patrol team.

“About 1:30 pm the team observed men alighting from a motor vehicle. They further observed that one of the men was armed with a rifle. The police immediately accosted the men who opened fire at the police, then ran into a supermarket where they barricaded themselves inside for over two hours,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Allen, who is in charge of Police Area Three, which comprises Clarendon, Manchester, and St Elizabeth.

A member of the police team and two of the gunmen were wounded in the incident.

A credible source told the Observer that an off-duty cop, who had been shopping at the supermarket when the incident took place, was also wounded in the incident. He was treated and released from hospital.

A senior police source said two of the gunmen, who went live on social media platform
TikTok pleading with police as they surrendered, sustained gunshot wounds to their hands.

Police said four firearms, including an AK-47, were seized following the incident.

The stand-off drew a crowd of onlookers to Spalding square.

ACP Allen praised the police team that responded to the incident.

“It is high commendation to the men, they are naturally putting in play the training that they have received and continue to receive from our various tactical departments,” he said.

“We just want people to understand that when we speak about the JCF and our commitment to law, order and security we mean what we say and we are going to ensure that we give of our utmost best to protect the public,” he added.