Police corporal arrested for alleged involvement in armed carjacking

 

A detective corporal who is suspected to be linked to a car stealing ring, is in custody following his capture on Saturday during a police dragnet.

 

The corporal is accused of hijacking a motor vehicle from an inDrive taxi operator at gunpoint on Saturday. 

 

The Constabulary Communication Network says a swift and coordinated response by members of the St. Andrew South and St. Catherine South Police led to the successful recovery of a stolen motor vehicle and the apprehension of the suspect.

 

It's reported that about 11:10 p.m., the police received information that a 19-year-old inDrive taxi operator had been robbed at gunpoint along Coleyville Avenue, Kingston 20.

 

The taxi operator reported that an armed individual entered his vehicle and forcibly took control while it was in motion. 

 

He managed to escape unharmed and alerted the authorities. 

 

The vehicle was electronically tracked to a location in St. Catherine, leading to the involvement of police from the St. Catherine South Division. 

 

Commanding Officer, Acting Senior Superintendent Leighton Gray, says the vehicle was intercepted along Dike Road in the vicinity of the Jamworld Complex in Portmore.

 

"There was a lone person in the vehicle. We stopped the vehicle...and made the necessary checks. When we revealed that it is a serving member of the force [who] was the lone person, we took that person in custody along with the vehicle and thereafter, we informed police emergency as to the intercept and then thereafter, the Duhaney Park Police area in which it occurred, they were notified," said the commanding officer. 

 

A search of the suspect yielded a Glock 17 9mm pistol, two magazines and 34 rounds of ammunition, all issued by the JCF. 

 

The suspect also had his police identification. 

 

The vehicle was transported to the Greater Portmore Police Station where it was processed. 

 

The Criminal Investigations Branch is leading the investigation. 

 

Meanwhile, the Police High Command has said it strongly condemns any form of criminal conduct, particularly when perpetrated by those sworn to uphold the law.

 

It added that it will neither tolerate nor conceal wrongdoing in any quarters of the force and any member who entertains criminal inclinations will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.