KIDNAP FOILED
Police rescue businessman in battle with gunmen who allegedly requested money for his release
Published:Saturday | December 30, 2023 | 12:11 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
In a dramatic turn of events, the St Catherine North Police rescued a Spanish Town businessman who had been kidnapped by gunmen.
The victim was taken away from his Brunswick Avenue business place by armed men, who allegedly demanded an undisclosed sum of money for his release. The incident occurred sometime after 11 p.m. on Thursday.
Reports are that in response to intelligence, the police swiftly arrived at a premises in Ellerslie Gardens, where they encountered resistance from gunmen. A fatal exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the demise of one suspect.
Two others were apprehended, and a .38 revolver seized from the crime scene.
Senior Superintendent of Police Howard Chambers commended the police’s “swift and decisive action” that rescued the kidnapped individual.
“I believe it was the quick, certain and confident action of the police that saved this man’s life. He was found with bruises and swelling all over his body and was extremely elated when the police got to him,” Chambers disclosed.
Residents stage roadblock
However, this triumph was met with scepticism from angry residents.
Claiming injustice, locals set up a roadblock, disputing the police version of what transpired. They insisted that the victim, identified as 35-year-old Donald Brown, a bar owner in Ellerslie Gardens, was dragged out of his business place by police personnel and shot behind his establishment.
Police dismissed this narrative, stating that the man was not from the area and remained unidentified.
Chambers addressed the rift, emphasising the division’s positive relationship with citizens.
“It was a lack of knowledge on the part of the residents that led to the roadblock,” he stated, assuring that the incident would not strain police-community harmony.
Amid the controversy, Chambers highlighted the division’s 20 per cent reduction in major crimes, expressing confidence in maintaining this trend into the new year. He cautioned citizens against harbouring strangers or fugitives in their communities.