Relief sweeps Durham as abduction suspect held

DURHAM, Portland:

Sighs of relief have been echoing throughout Portland following Wednesday night’s arrest of Davian Bryan in the hills of Durham in the Hope Bay Valley after being on the run for five months.

Bryan, who was facing firearm and rape charges, absconded bail and was named as a key person of interest in the abduction of a nine-year-old and a 13-year-old in neighbouring St Thomas last October.

Bryan was reportedly taken into custody shortly after 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kerryann Bryan, a sister of the accused, told The Gleaner that she led three trusted cops to her relieved brother in a bushy area after receiving a telephone call from Davian indicating that he wanted to turn himself in.

Kerryann said her brother told her he hadn’t slept well for months.

“Him tell me fi come inna the light and mek him see me first,” she recounted.

“Then when I went into the light him run come and hug me up.”

Superintendent Kenneth Chin, head of the Portland Police Division, commended everyone who assisted in the monthslong effort to capture the fugitive, including a massive multiagency manhunt supported by hundreds of residents in Portland and St Thomas last October to rescue the girls.

“Our efforts to capture Bryan were aided through partnership with elected officials in the parish, who worked with the communities in sharing intelligence with the police,” he said. “Special commendations must go to the hard-working members of the Portland Police Division, who expended great effort in capturing Bryan to improve the safety and security of the citizens in Portland.”

Several women have welcomed the news after months of living in fear.

“Glory to God, and I thank the police and the citizens of Durham for their hard work,” said Lisa Thomas, a resident of Snow Hill.

“I was so scared even to go around the back of my yard during daytime as I knew he was on the loose. He was spotted in the area on Sunday, and even though I ensured that my doors and grille were locked, I couldn’t help feeling afraid,” added Thomas, who lives with her teenage daughter.

Bryan was listed as Portland’s most wanted person earlier this month after failing to appear before the Portland Circuit Court on February 17 on his previous charges for which he had been granted bail. A warrant was also issued for his arrest.

In July 2020, he was charged with rape and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, stemming from an incident involving a woman in Norwich in the eastern parish.

Bryan is expected to be charged with a number of other offences, including abduction and absconding bail.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com