Several charges laid against man in St Thomas Beryllium attack
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Police have charged a man who they believe is responsible for the attack on Beryllium security officers in St Thomas on Saturday, April 29.
Charged is 28-year-old Jevon Bashford, otherwise called ‘Bashy’ of Mandock Avenue, Big Lane in Central Village, St Catherine.
According to the police, following the incident, an investigation was launched which led detectives from the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch to conduct an operation on Jacques Road in Mountain View, Kingston on Friday, June 9.
Two high-powered rifles and over 70 assorted rounds of ammunition were seized during the operation. Bashford was taken into custody at the scene.
He reportedly gave a caution statement in the presence of his attorney, was interviewed and subsequently charged
Bashford is facing a litany of charges including:
1. Wounding with intent with use of a firearm
2. Robbery with aggravation,
3. Shooting with intent
4. Use of a firearm to commit a felony (two counts)
5. Possession of illegal firearm
6. Illegal possession of ammunition
7. Stockpiling firearms
8. Stockpiling ammunition
9. Possession of firearm and ammunition with intent to cause damage
10. Being a participant in a criminal organization
11. Malicious destruction of properties
12. Using conveyance to traffic firearms
13. Facilitating the commission of an applicable offence by a criminal organisation
14. Conspiracy to commit robbery with aggravation
During the robbery in April, the Beryllium team entered the compound of a service station to carry out maintenance duties when they were attacked by a group of armed men who opened gunfire.
One of the security officers and a bystander were shot and injured; and a bag containing over $100,000 was stolen from the Beryllium van before the armed robbers escaped in a motor car.
