Police: St Andrew break-in suspect nabbed following Russell Heights home invasion

A man wanted for alleged housebreaking was arrested Friday after being caught on a security camera inside a Russell Heights home, the St Andrew police say.

On March 12, the St Andrew North police said they were seeking 39-year-old Errol Michael, otherwise called “Hoghead,” a gardener of Panton Road in Stony Hill, St Andrew, following an incident in the division.

In relation to Friday's incident, the police said between 9:30 a.m. and 1:05 p.m., the complainant received a motion alert on his cellphone from a security camera installed inside his apartment. Upon checking the footage, he saw a man inside his home.

The complainant reportedly confronted and restrained Michael at the side of the apartment, noting that the suspect carried a black shopping bag containing several items, according to the police report.

Officers from the Grants Pen Police Station responded, taking Michael into custody along with the recovered bag.

Items allegedly recovered include Jamaican currency, colognes, and a drone.

Their total value has not yet been determined.

Investigators say Michael is also the same individual captured last week on surveillance footage breaking into another house in Roehampton, St Andrew.

Superintendent Randy Sweeney, Commander for St Andrew North, urged residents and businesses to invest in security systems, particularly cameras with motion sensors.

“Again, I use this opportunity to remind persons about the importance of having cameras, and not just any cameras, but more so those that are equipped with motion sensors, because here again we have seen the benefit of having such a system," he said. “We’re imploring business establishments and residents to install these systems at their place of work and also their homes, and even at strategic points in their communities.”

As of March 14, the St Andrew North division had recorded six robberies and five break-ins.

- Andre Williams

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.