Police refute reports about alleged ATM vandal

Head of the Portland Police Division Superintendent Kenneth Chin yesterday refuted reports that investigators recorded statements from a man who is being held in connection with an explosion at a Scotiabank ATM in Port Antonio last Saturday.

It is being reported that the man, who is a security guard, gave the police statements in which he confessed to setting fire to the ATMs and stealing money intended for the ATM over several years. He also allegedly told the police that he stole the money to pay an Obeah man, whose services he engaged to ensure that he would reconcile with his ex-girlfriend. The man, who was allegedly injured during the explosion, is expected to be slapped with multiple charges. However, Chin told THE STAR that the police have not published any information relating to the matter.

"We have released no such information of such. We will release something official as soon as we tie up all loose ends. We don't want to put too much out there and then other persons who we might be seeking end up eluding us because this is still an active investigation," he said. Chin, however, pointed out that the police have made slight headway into the investigation.

"There is one person who is a person of interest in this incident who is in the police custody. He is just a person of interest at the moment," he added.

The police say that about 4 a.m., there was an explosion at the bank, which is located along the commercial strip of Harbour Street in the parish capital. The blast reportedly shattered several glass doors and windows at the facility. The police say that they found a man at the rear of the building in an incinerator suffering from several injuries to the body. The cost of the damage is estimated at $12 million.