One killed, eight arrested following foiled Western Union outlet robbery

One man is dead, while eight other persons believed to be part of a criminal network are in police custody, following an attempted robbery at a Western Union outlet in Hope Bay, Portland, which was foiled by a licensed firearm holder.

It is understood that about 2 a.m. Monday, at least five men, believed to be armed with handguns, broke into the Western Union after taking off a door at the rear of the building.

“Armed [men] broke into a business place and he (the licensed firearm holder) challenged the men and during an exchange of gunfire one man was hit," commented Ainsley McCarthy, Superintendent in charge of the Portland police division.

“The police quickly arrived on the scene and took control of the area. The injured man was assisted to the Port Antonio hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. A motor car, suspected to be one of the vehicles used in the robbery, was seized by the police and driver taken into custody. Further investigations and operations led to the capture of seven other persons. A nine millimetre pistol and several rounds of ammunition was also recovered," he added.

According to Superintendent McCarthy, two of the persons who are now in custody are suspected to be the mother and sister of one of the men involved in the attempted robbery.

“None of these persons are from Portland. They all have addresses in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine. If your intentions are not good, do not come into the parish of Portland," warned McCarthy.

- Gareth Davis

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