Reputed Sunrise Crescent Gang boss charged with kidnapping, robbery
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The reputed leader of the ‘100 Sunrise Crescent Gang’ has been charged with multiple offences by the Constant Spring Police in relation to an armed robbery and kidnapping along Red Hills Road and Sunrise Crescent in St Andrew earlier this year.
Charged is 32-year-old Machel Ward of Sunrise Crescent, Kingston 19.
Reports are that about 5:30 pm on March 30, two men were robbed, kidnapped, and placed in the trunk of a car. They managed to escape and contact the police.
A multi-agency investigation was launched, and on Friday, August 8, one of the perpetrators, who is a minor, turned himself in to the police. He was later pointed out in an identification parade as one of the suspects.
The investigations into the incident continued, and during a major police operation, Ward was apprehended on Wednesday, October 15, at his home on Sunrise Crescent. Ward was subsequently pointed out during an identification parade as one of the suspects.
Ward was interviewed and later charged with robbery with aggravation, possession of a prohibited weapon, kidnapping, being a part of, or participating in, a criminal organisation, recruiting a child to be a part of a criminal organisation, being a leader of a criminal organisation, using a firearm to commit a felony (robbery with aggravation), and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The minor has been charged with kidnapping, robbery with aggravation, assault occasioning bodily harm, being in possession of a prohibited weapon, being a part of a criminal organisation, possession of firearm with intent to injure, and use of firearm to commit a scheduled offence.
He is currently before the court.
Investigations are still underway to locate the other suspects involved in the incident, and the police are appealing to anyone who has information to contact the Constant Spring Police at 876-924-1425, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, or the nearest police station.
