Police believe they have made a bold statement to gangs in the Corporate Area with the killing of a man believed to be one of the top underworld crime figures.

The man, 30-year-old Rohan Anglin, otherwise called ‘Anchie’ from Denver Crescent, Kingston 20, was shot dead and a firearm seized during a shootout on Wednesday.

Anglin, the police said, was a top-tier member of the Top Maverley Gang but defected to the Lower Maverley Gang.

Reports indicate that Anglin returned to the island this year from the United States and has since increased tensions within the Maverley community.

Head of the Area Four police, Assistant Commissioner Michael Phipps, said Anglin was instrumental in recent murders and shootings within the St Andrew South (SAS) division.

The most recent was Monday’s gruesome killing of Withlif Riley, otherwise called ‘Shane’, at the intersection of Molynes Road and Washington Boulevard. A motorist was shot and injured in that gun attack.

“Information suggests that this man was part of a major car-stealing ring across the Corporate Area, and they used proceeds from this activity to fund the criminal activities of the particular gang,” Phipps told Observer Online. “So, this man was really one who had been giving us a lot of problems in terms of crime and other incidents across the entire Corporate Area.”

Reports were that around 11:30 am, a law enforcement team from CTOC and SAS Tactical Response Team conducted an operation at Lothian Avenue, Kingston 11.

During the operation, police entered a dwelling and were confronted by a man armed with a firearm who opened fire at the team.

In fear for their lives, the police said, officers discharged their service weapons and neutralized the suspect. The firearm was retrieved and observed to be a Bursa 9mm pistol with a magazine containing twelve 9mm cartridges.

The injured man was transported to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police confirmed that Anglin was previously arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm and the murder of Simone Singh on May 29, 2022. He was also charged for possession of ganja in 2012.

It is believed Anglin’s death will likely reduce tensions and alleviate some of the conflict between the Top and Bottom Maverley gangs.

His demise, the police also indicated, could also be a deterrent to other gang members who would want to engage in violent acts in the community.

ACP Phipps said the police will be targeting more underworld figures like Anglin.

“We will be relentless in our efforts targeting these gang members as we seek to restore normalcy and peace within Maverley and other communities in the Corporate Area,” he promised.