Man shot off police station roof

Daring men are reportedly using the cover of darkness to sneak onto the compound of the Hunts Bay Police Station and slipping contraband into the jail cells.

Superintendent Damion Manderson, operations officer of the St Andrew South Police Division, where Hunts Bay Police Station falls, said one man who attempted such daring feat was shot and killed on Saturday night.

Reports are that about 11:40 p.m., the police were conducting a patrol on the compound when three men were seen on the roof. The lawmen called out to them and one of the men opened fire at the team of officers. The fire was returned and one man was later found on the roof suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A Glock 17 pistol with five rounds of ammunition was recovered. The other two men escaped.

Manderson, in an interview with THE STAR, warned persons from attempting to smuggle contraband into police lock-ups.

"One thing for sure at Hunts Bay is that we are going to continue to be resolute, and we are saying to persons that they should yield not to the temptation to smuggle contraband or seek to encroach upon the compound unauthorised, especially the cell block area," Manderson said.

The senior cop warned that persons who attempt to smuggle contraband into the lock-ups must be "ready to face the consequence that comes with it".

"We are saying, in good faith, that we believe that Jamaicans are cognitive beings who can think, and see what happened last night (Saturday) and be able to reflect and say that I would never dare," he added.

Information reaching THE STAR is that criminals have been sneaking onto the police station's compound for some time and have devised ingenious ways of sending weapons and drugs into the lockups.

Last month, a search of the jail cells led to the recovery of several contraband such as cellphones, ganja, knives and lighters. Manderson said the find led them to increase their monitoring activities. He said a male was recently spotted on the roof of the lock-up station with a knapsack.

"The police shouted to him and he ran and jumped the fence and made good his escape. So we had to put some things in place since then and do more frequent and periodic checks. Last night (Saturday) was one of those nights when one of the team was making some checks and saw three men on the roof," Manderson said.

That incident ended deadly.