Police dragnet catches Westmoreland’s most wanted
Published:Wednesday | August 5, 2020 | 12:35 AMHopeton Bucknor/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A reputed high-ranking member of the feared King Valley Gang who was atop the Westmoreland’s most wanted list was apprehended in a police dragnet at a house in Grange Hill in the parish on Tuesday morning.
He has been identified as Isaiah Perry, otherwise called ‘Cat,’ from the King Valley community.
A woman who was in his company and identified as his girlfriend was also taken into custody.
According to police reports, an intelligence-driven operation was carried out in King Valley between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Perry and his companion were found sleeping at a house during the military-backed operation.
Commanding officer in charge of Westmoreland, Superintendent Robert Gordon, told The Gleaner that he commended the joint forces for a well-coordinated operation.
“The division’s most wanted man ... has managed to elude the police on many occasions,” Gordon said of Perry, who was being sought for murder, shooting, illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, among other crimes.
“Perry is a major player in the King Valley Gang and was a major perpetrator in a number of crimes,” Gordon added.
Six alleged members of the King Valley criminal network were freed of gang-related crimes in early July.
Perry is one of three wanted men from western Jamaica to have been caught by the security forces over the past three weeks.
Last week, two of St James’ most wanted men, Christopher ‘Plank’ Boyd and Lennox ‘Rus Eye’ McLeod, both of Flankers, were held during a series of operations carried out in St Andrew.
Boyd was on the St James most wanted list since 2016 and was being sought in connection with the double murder of David Anglin and Sean Titus in 2016, and the killing of Desmond Clarke in 2018. McLeod was being sought for several crimes, including wounding with intent.
Seven other men who are all said to be linked to the feared Sparta Gang operating out of Flankers community were also taken into custody.
Prior to these arrests, Delano ‘Preckeh Boy’ Wilmot, who topped the St James wanted list and was the reputed leader of the Retrieve Gang, was shot and killed during a confrontation with the security forces in Amity district in the parish.
Wilmot was wanted for at least 12 murders.