Cops claiming success against ‘high-value’ criminal targets out west

WESTERN BUREAU:

AFTER YEARS of trying various policing initiatives, including states of emergency (SOE) and zones of special operations (ZOSO), to combat the rapid lawlessness which has been plaguing western Jamaica for over two decades, the Area One police appear to be getting a handle on the lawlessness.

In a press conference in Kingston on Tuesday, the Criminal Investigations Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force said that over recent months, they have been making significant progress in apprehending wanted gangsters in Area One, which covers Trelawny, St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Josephs, who leads the Criminal Investigations Branch, has listed the St James duo, Joseph ‘Geo’ McKenzie, who was wanted for multiple murders; Michael ‘Dry Goods’ Williams, wanted for murder; and Hanover most wanted, Towayne ‘Tuffy’ Gunning, as three high-value targets that are now in police custody.

“The JCF has made significant process in recent weeks with several wanted men being apprehended across Area One. Among them we have Joseph McKenzie, who was arrested on August 25. He has since been charged with three murders, one shooting and possession of a prohibited weapon,” said McKenzie.

At the recent monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation, Deputy Superintendent of Police Linroy Edwards, the operations officer for the St James Police Division, said the gun seized from McKenzie has been linked to multiple murders that are under investigation.

At the time of his arrest, McKenzie was wanted for murders committed in Flanker, Salt Spring and Flower Hill, St James. The police said based on their investigations, McKenzie was a ‘gun-for-hire’ and has been linked to contract killings that are now under investigation.

As it relates to Gunning, who is of a Rock Spring address in Hanover, he was wanted for several gun-related crimes, including murders, and was on the run since December 2023. After coming under intense pressure from the police in recent weeks, he surrendered to them on Tuesday.

In urging other wanted men to follow Gunning’s example and surrender peacefully to the police so that they can have their day in court, Josephs said wanted men who choose to confront the police are unlikely to survive.

“If the police come to arrest you, do not resist, do not challenge the police because if you challenge the police, we cannot guarantee your safety,” said Joseph. “I want to take this opportunity to commend the police officers, the men and women in Area One, especially the members of the Criminal Investigation Branch for the significant and impressive work they have been doing overtime in putting together these case files that has now led to the apprehension and charges being laid against these criminal suspects.”