St James’ most wanted ‘Tik-a-Weed’ snuffed out
Published:Thursday | January 11, 2024 | 12:11 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
In a recent confrontation with law enforcement, Kenroy ‘Tik-a-Weed’ Roach, one of St James’ ‘Most Wanted’ men, met a fatal end.
Simultaneously, another notorious figure, Nigel ‘Mad Ras’ Bailey, allegedly responsible for 10 deaths over the past decade, has been apprehended and is now in custody.
The two were recently featured in the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s ‘Wanted Wednesdays’.
Reports are that Roach, 34 years old and unemployed of Hampton district in the parish, was among four armed men who opened fire at a police party that was conducting an operation in Bogue Hill, Montego Bay, on Tuesday evening.
The lawmen, acting on information, were in search of Roach, who was wanted for murder and stockpiling of prohibited weapons.
His death was confirmed by Senior Superintendent of Police Vernon Ellis, who said he was “mortally wounded” in the confrontation with the police.
He was with three other armed men when they reportedly fired at the cops.
SSP Ellis reported that Roach was spotted holding a firearm in his right hand behind a shop after the gunfire subsided. A weapon identified as a Glock pistol with a magazine containing two live 9mm rounds were taken from him.
Despite the efforts to save him, Roach was declared dead by medical practitioners at the Cornwall Regional Hospital and his associates are currently evading law enforcement.
SSP Ellis emphasised that Roach’s demise could have been avoided if he had heeded repeated appeals to surrender.
“We conducted 42 operations involving both military and police personnel, making 70 appeals for him to turn himself in. Unfortunately, he continued to evade the authorities,” disclosed the commanding officer.
He further noted that ongoing operations at Roach’s family residence proved unsuccessful.
SSP Ellis expressed satisfaction in the arrest of Bailey, of a Cambridge, St James, address, who recently held the #2 position on the Most Wanted list. Bailey was apprehended last week during an operation in Kitson Town, St Catherine.
Emphasising his determination to curtail the activities of gunmen from St James, SSP Ellis reiterated his warning, stating that he is resolute in apprehending those on the Most Wanted list.
He issued a stern message: “And we will capture those who are wanted.”
Highlighting the fluidity of the Most Wanted list, he noted: “It was Roach who took Bailey’s place, and now somebody else will take that spot, but not for long.”
In a direct appeal, he urged individuals with their names on the Most Wanted list to surrender to the police voluntarily, citing it as the easiest solution.