Alleged car thief charged

A St Catherine man who reportedly stole a car from a man at his workplace on July 17 has been slapped with three serious charges.

The accused man, who the police identified as Canute McKenzie, 27, a construction worker of Aluminium Way, Mineral Heights, Clarendon, has been charged with robbery with aggravation, unauthorised possession of prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition.

The police said that the complainant had just parked his car at a premises on Old Harbour Road, Spanish Town, St Catherine, when armed men drove up in a grey Nissan Tiida motor car and approached him. McKenzie allegedly pointed a gun at the man and robbed him of his motor car before escaping.

The matter was reported to the police and swift action by the lawmen led to the motor car being intercepted along the Bog Walk bypass. The men exited the vehicle and ran. The police said McKenzie dropped an object, which was retrieved. It was found to be an Astra 9mm pistol with a magazine containing nine 9mm rounds of ammunition.

McKenzie was subsequently arrested and charged after he was pointed out during an identification parade.