Suspected abductor of cabbie held

A man believed to have been involved in the abduction of a 66-year-old taxi operator who was robbed and dumped in a pit in Jones Avenue in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in May, was one of two persons of interest detained in a police operation in Shelter Rock and Jones Town in Spanish Town on Tuesday.

The victim, who had survived four days in the pit, was forced into the hole by gunmen who had robbed him of his motor car, cellular phone, and cash after he went into the community to drop off a passenger.

He was, however, rescued by police officers after spending three days and four nights in the hole during which he was reportedly tormented by his captors.

Head of the St Catherine North Police Division, Senior Superintendent of Police Howard Chambers, told The Gleaner that the two men were held during a cordon-and-search operation in the Shelter Rock and Jones Avenue communities and that one of them is believed to have been involved in the abduction.

Additionally, the senior cop said one of the men was also wanted in connection with the August 29 murder of 23-year-old Jakari Whonder, who was shot and killed in Shelter Rock.

Whonder’s murder is believed to have led to the reprisal killing of 15-year-old Kevin McKenzie, who was found with his head partially severed on Jones Avenue on August 30.

In the meantime, 33 persons were also picked up for questioning during Tuesday’s operation, but were released. Twelve of them were, however, charged with breaches under the Disaster Risk Management Act.

The operation, which involved divisional police, the military, the Jamaica Constabulary Force Canine Division, and the Enhanced Security Team, targeted the capture of wanted men and the seizure of illegal firearms and ammunition. It also aims to enforce a three-day no-movement order that expires on Wednesday morning.

“For the next couple of weeks, we will be doing a range of operations in the general Shelter Rock, Jones Avenue, Lakes Pen and Quarry area and Frazer’s Content areas where we have incidents of gang violence,” Chambers said.

Those five areas, he said, accounted for the most recent murders in the division.