Three charged with kidnapping, robbery of foreigners

Three men have been arrested and charged for their involvement in the alleged kidnapping and robbery two foreign nationals in Portland last December.

They have been identified as 24-year-old Sandre Phipps, a waiter from Port Antonio, 28-year- old Davian Henry, a taxi operator of Sherwood Forest, and Rolando Thomas, 22, also from Sherwood Forest.

It is reported that on Sunday December 17, 2023, the complainants reportedly visited Winifred beach located at Fairy Hill in East Portland, when it started to rain heavily.

The foreign nationals took the decision to leave the beach, and boarded a taxi, with the intended destination of Port Antonio.

It is further reported that upon reaching a section of the Folly main Road in Port Antonio, the driver turned off the roadway and instead took the complainants to a secluded area in the vicinity of the Folly Ruins, where three men reportedly alighted from bushes wearing mask- armed with knives.

Both complainants were allegedly robbed of their personal belongings comprising a black wallet containing $30,000 Jamaican; US $150; one debit card; one credit card; one go-pro camera valued at $299 US; one black Samsung Galaxy S-22 valued at $1,000 US, along with a blue iPhone 14 valued at $1,500 US.

They are booked to appear in the Portland Parish Court at a date to be finalised.

- Gareth Davis 

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