Police pursuing cases against 24 arrested in St James over the weekend
ST JAMES, Jamaica — The security forces are reporting that 24 of the 92 people who were detained in operations in St James over the weekend still remain in custody on suspicion of being involved in various crimes committed in the parish.
According to lawmen, some of the individuals are suspects in cases of murder, shooting with intent, robbery with aggravation, and breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provision) Act.
In addition, arrangements are being made for some to face an identification parade.
The police said the remaining 62 people who were detained in the operations, which began on Friday and ended on Sunday, have since been processed and released.
Investigators have also disclosed that to date, nine people who were arrested in previous operations, have been charged with various offences.
They are:
1. Owen Waite, otherwise called ‘Oraine’, 19, of Green Dot, Flanker in St James. He was charged with three counts of wounding with intent.
2. Twenty-two-year-old Kasheem Lewis otherwise called ‘Borderline’. He was charged with two counts of murder.
3. Donald Reid, a 46-year-old taxi-operator, was charged with rape and buggery.
4. Kirk Russell, a 43-year-old labourer and Dwain Panton were charged jointly with robbery with aggravation after they were positively identified on an identification parade.
5. Billy Myrie, a 41-year-old fisherman, was charged with murder. He was also pointed out on an identification parade.
6. Forty-nine-year-old Staiton Clarke and Norman Daley, 59, were both charged with breaches of the Petroleum Act.
7. A male child was also charged with murder. His name is being withheld because of his age.
“The security forces appreciate the support of the public and continue to implore all law- abiding citizens to join in the effort to take back St James from criminals,” said Inspector Dian Bartley.
“We are committed to upholding the human rights of all persons taken into custody and will preserve the human dignity of all prisoners. The Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force will hold its operatives accountable at all times during the execution of our sworn duties.”
