WESTERN BUREAU:
A SEVENTH person was yesterday arrested for his alleged involvement in a gang believed to be behind a series of armed robberies in the city of Montego Bay, St. James.
Investigators say the latest arrest will also bring them closer to a breakthrough in the murder of a 50-year-old businessman last Friday.
The detainees, between 22 and 34-years-old, have been charged with robbery. Their identities are however being withheld as they are to face identification parades for the shooting death of Sunder Ramchandani, operator of Ruby's Jewellers and Gift Centre on Church Street, Montego Bay.
The seventh suspect was held at the St. James Police Divisional Headquarters at Freeport, where he went to make his weekly report as part of his bail condition for charges of wounding with intent.
ILLEGAL FIREARMS
Two illegal firearms, a .45 Star semi-automatic pistol and a .38 revolver, were recovered from a car in which three of the male suspects were held on Saturday night.
The police reportedly intercepted the vehicle in the Market Circle area about 10 p.m., approximately half an hour after it was fingered in a robbery at Fresh Farm Meat and Vegetables located on Strand Street.
"Intensive investigation led us to houses which were raided in Lilliput, Pitfour and Granville, where stolen jewellery, appliances and other items were found," Superintendent Warren Clarke, commanding officer for the St. James Police Division said Sunday.
"The gang has been very active in the Barnett Street, Market Circle and recently Church Street areas, where at least ten robberies involving businesses were committed in the last two weeks."
The Gleaner was told that the semi-automatic pistol is consistent with the murder weapon used to kill Mr. Ramchandani. To date, 121 murders have been committed in St. James since the start of this year, eight less than the total number recorded in 2004.
Supt. Clarke also pointed out that the recovered revolver was fired in the Strand Street robbery in which $9,000 was taken. The stolen cash was allegedly recovered from the three men in the car.
