Three charged for robbing foreigners in Portland

The Portland police have arrested and charged three persons in relation to the kidnapping and robbery of two foreigners in December.

Charged with kidnapping, robbery with aggravation, breaches of the Law Reform Act, and breaches of the Cybercrime Act are 24-year-old waiter Sandre Phipps of Land Settlement in Port Antonio, 28-year-old taxi operator Davian Henry and 22-year-old Rolando Thomas, both of Sherwood Forest.

A date is being finalised for the accused to appear in court.

The police report that about 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 17, the man and woman were at the Winifred Beach in Fairy Hill when it began to rain.

The couple took a car operating as a taxi destined for Port Antonio and while on the journey the driver reportedly turned off the road to a secluded area in the vicinity of the Folly Ruins.

It is reported that masked men armed with knives emerged from bushes and robbed the foreigners of their belongings such as cash in Jamaican and American currencies, banking cards, cell phones, and a go-pro.

While being held captive, the man was also forced to contact his mother, who transferred US$2,026 to one of his abductors via Cash App, according to the police.

After the ordeal, the couple was released and they reported the matter to the police.

Following an investigation, the men were taken into custody and charges were laid against them.

- Gareth Davis Sr

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