Teen held with illegal firearm

An 18-year-old is facing firearms charges after being arrested by officers assigned to the Kingston Western Police Division.

The teen has been identified as Raheem Williams of East Street, Kingston, and Lacovia, St Elizabeth. He has been charged with possession of prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition in relation to an incident that took place on Beckford Street, downtown Kingston, yesterday.

Reports are that about 5:30 a.m., lawmen were on an operation in the area when they saw Williams in the company of a group of men, whose action indicated that they were in the process of committing a robbery. On seeing the police team, the men opened fire at them and then ran in separate directions. A search of the area was conducted and Williams was seen hiding. He was accosted, searched and one Taurus 9mm pistol with a magazine containing fourteen 9mm rounds of ammunition was found in his possession. He was subsequently taken into custody and charged after he underwent a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney. He is scheduled to appear before court next Thursday. The other men are currently being sought by the police.

In another incident, detectives assigned to the Manchester Police Division have charged 21-year-old Odeno Anderson, a labourer of Suncrest Garden district in Clarendon with robbery with aggravation and possession of prohibited weapon in relation to an incident that took place on the Christiana main road on November 6, 2022. Reports are that about 1 p.m., Anderson and three other men illegally entered a business establishment while posing as customers. Anderson and his accomplices then held up the businessman at gunpoint and robbed him of valuables such as assorted liquor, cash and cigarettes.

A report was made to the police and an investigation launched. Anderson was subsequently arrested. He was charged on Monday, after he was questioned in the presence of his attorney. He is scheduled to appear before the Manchester Parish Court next Friday. His accomplices are currently being sought.