SPANISH TOWN, ST CATHERINE, Jamaica–On Friday, December 15, 2023, the Spanish Town police apprehended a 17-year-old boy during a school fête at a high school in St Catherine following the seizure of a firearm.
At approximately 8 p.m., law enforcement officers observed the boy’s suspicious behavior and decided to intervene. A thorough search was conducted, which led to the discovery of a Beretta nine-millimeter pistol inside a bag the boy was carrying. Without delay, the authorities took the boy into custody for further investigation.
This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and security measures, particularly in educational settings. The police’s swift response helps ensure the safety of those present and underscores the importance of their tireless efforts in maintaining law and order.
Employees at Sunshine Snacks distributor charged for stealing over $18m.
The Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) in Portmore, St. Catherine, has officially confirmed the apprehension of multiple employees suspected of stealing at Sunshine Snacks, a well-known distributor.
According to Detective Inspector Homer Morgan, the individuals in question were implicated in a complex scheme that resulted in the unlawful acquisition of over $18.5 million from Confectionery and Snacks Ltd. The period of the illicit activity spanned from March to November 2023.
News reports indicate that Sunshine Snacks became aware of the fraudulent scheme through an internal audit conducted by the company. Upon discovering the wrongdoing, the organization promptly reported the matter to the police. Following a thorough investigation, law enforcement authorities arrested six employees, three of whom have been charged with larceny.
The individuals who have been charged with the serious offenses of larceny as a servant and conspiracy to steal are Harold Burrell, a 38-year-old dispatch supervisor, Nathaniel Sutherland, a 31-year-old sales representative, and Conrad Abraham, a 40-year-old individual.
After the arrest, the three suspects were presented before the St. Catherine Parish Court at the beginning of last week, where they were granted bail in the amount of $200,000 each. Meanwhile, the authorities have withheld the identities of the other three individuals implicated in the case pending further investigation. These individuals remain in police custody at this time.
Detective Morgan has affirmed that the Portmore CIB is committed to conducting a thorough and diligent investigation to ensure justice is served.
At least 404 were killed in road crashes on Jamaican roads up to December 16.
Road fatalities have reached a grim milestone this week, surpassing 400 deaths. As of Saturday, December 16, 2023, the number of registered deaths stands at 4034, with an additional seven lives lost in just one week.
Tragically, three motorcyclists were among the recent victims, including two teenagers aged 17 and 18, both males, who were involved in separate crashes.
Furthermore, two passengers of private motor cars, one pedestrian, and one passenger of a public passenger vehicle also lost their lives during this period.
The Road Safety Unit (RSU) has reported that the 404 fatalities, as of December 16, resulted from 365 fatal crashes. Notably, fatal crashes have decreased by nine percent, while deaths have seen a 13 percent decline compared to a similar period in 2022.
With only 15 days remaining until the end of the year, the RSU predicts that the present 13 percent reduction in fatalities will hold. It is important to acknowledge that 488 individuals lost their lives on the nation’s roads in 2022.
As of December 15, 2023, males account for 88 percent of road fatalities, while females represent the remaining 12 percent. This serves as a stark reminder of the continued need for road safety awareness and initiatives.