ONE-MINUTE READS ... News from across Jamaica

Security guard arrested for car theft

Detectives assigned to the St Andrew Central Criminal Investigation Branch have charged 27-year-old Akeim Lawson, otherwise called 'Fire Biggs', a security officer of Red Hills Road, Kingston 10, with larceny of motor vehicle, and conspiracy to commit larceny of motor vehicle.

These charges stem from an incident that occurred on Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10 on March 11. Reports from the police are that at 2:30 p.m., a man parked his red 2019 Honda Civic at a location with the intent of selling it to Lawson and his associates. During the transaction, Lawson and the other persons entered the vehicle and drove away with it, without the owner's consent or the agreed-upon payment being made. A report was made to the police, and an investigation commenced.

Between 4 a.m. and 3 p.m. on March 12, a team of officers carried out operational activities in the St Thomas Police Division which resulted in the apprehension of the accused and his accomplices, and the recovery of the motor vehicle. On Tuesday, an interview was conducted with Lawson in the presence of his attorney, after which he was charged. His court date is being finalised.

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SPARK to provide 13,000 direct jobs

The Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to Our Road Network (SPARK) project is expected to generate 13,000 direct jobs during construction, while delivering an estimated US$1.3 billion in savings from vehicle maintenance, enhanced service accessibility, and strengthened community connectivity.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Works, Robert Morgan, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Work commenced last December, following the award of a $45-billion contract, with three work orders issued covering 126 roads across 63 constituencies.

The scope of work under SPARK includes the rehabilitation of main, local, and community roads, addressing pavements, select intersections, sidewalks, drainage, and retaining walls. Additionally, the project integrates water infrastructure upgrades and fibre-optic ducting to support future broadband connectivity. Morgan said a crucial element is the $5-billion investment in water pipeline upgrades, synchronised with roadworks to minimise disruptions.

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Harmony Beach Park beach temporarily closed

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is advising the public, especially residents and visitors in St James, that the beach at Harmony Beach Park is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.

In a release, the UDC said that during a recent safety assessment, an external issue affecting water quality in the beach area was identified. The entity said it would restrict access to the beach in the interest of public health and safety. The UDC's teams will be working to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

The UDC said that the rest of the park remains open to the public.

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Kingston man held with identity information

Twenty-four-year-old painter Leshawn Slew of Lothian Avenue, Kingston 11, has been charged with possession of identity information following an incident in his community on March 25.

Reports from the Hunts Bay police are that Slew was picked up during an operation about noon, and an interview was conducted. With his permission, his cell phone was accessed and searched, and an Excel sheet with personal information was found. He could not give an account for the information found and was taken into custody.

Slew was charged following a question-and-answer session in the presence of his attorney. His court date is being finalised