The Portland police have arrested a police constable on suspicion of corruption in connection with the stealing of motor vehicles.
The constable who has not been charged up to the weekend was taken into custody on Wednesday, August 6. He is attached to the Golden Grove police station in St Thomas but lives in Portland. He is said to be a mastermind in a major car stealing ring. It is alleged that a green Toyota Station wagon was recovered on Monday August 4 which was reported stolen at the Cross Road Police Station, from Collins Green Avenue in Kingston, on Friday July 25, 2014. The police constable is suspected to be linked to this stolen car along with others in the Kensington and Hector’s River areas in Portland, along with others in St. Thomas.
Police investigators saw a vehicle being worked on Tuesday, August 5 at a garage on Long Road east Portland and also saw other vehicles that were tampered with at the garage. It is further alleged that a policeman towed a car from the garage and the car was later found, on fire, in a cane piece on the Portland/St. Thomas border.
The fire was put out by the police and residents. The police are carrying out forensic investigation on the burnt vehicle.
The police raided the constable’s home and a number of stolen motor vehicle parts were allegedly found.
The police are following strong leads and have recovered two other motor vehicles. One of them was reportedly stolen in Vineyard Town. The cars recovered are at the Manchioneal Police Station and a file was being prepared to be sent to the DPP for ruling. MOCA and the Anti-Crime division are carrying out investigation along with the Portland police.
