Archive for March 27th, 2010
Cops round up shooters
(CNS): In the wake of a yet another frightening escalation of violent crime in West Bay this week, the police said they have now arrested three men in connection with the murders of Alrick Peddie and Damion Ming. Following what an RCIPS spokesperson said was an “intensive police operation” in the West Bay area this afternoon, Friday 26 March, the men have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Officers from the RCIPS conducted a number of armed raids and rounded up the suspects in the West Bay area in which several houses were raided and searched. (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)
Police arrested a 17-year-old man and a 35-year-old man in relation to the death of Alrick Peddie, who was shot and killed in West Bay on Wednesday, 24 March, on Willie Farrington Drive, and they also arrested a 29-year-old man in relation to the death of Damion Ming, who was gunned down in the Birch Tree Hill Lane area of West Bay last night, Thursday 25 March.
During a police press conference on Wednesday afternoon Police Commissioner David Baines appealed to the community once again to assist the police and revealed a new confidential help line. He said this is being manned by hand-picked officers that the community can have the utmost confidence in. He vowed that the line (949-7777) was completely secure.
During the conference Baines made it clear that the police were well aware of the key players involved inthis escalating tit-for-tat gang violence but without evidence it was proving difficult to bring charges against what he called mindless thugs. He said the shootings were nothing more than gangs picking one from each rival group in revenge for the previous killings, causing the dangerous escalation in violence. He explained that the rivalry was between gangs with changing affiliations, but at present the disputes existed between two different West Bay gangs, as well as ones in George Town.
“We know who is responsible,” Baines said, but he explained the difficulty was securing evidence. He said his officers were on top of the gang members day and night when they were not in custody and they would continue to do this, but the community had to help. “The most direct way for us to bring charges is through eyewitness testimony,” Baines added.
The senior cop said the RCIPS would be utilising the gang legislation which has been on the statute books for some five years, but has so far never been used to bring in suspects until sufficient evidence could be found to bring charges against the triggermen for murder and attempted murder.
He said the RCIPS would also be prosecuting the victims and witnesses involved in the tit-for-tat violence who gave false statements or obstructed the police in their investigations. Above all he called on the mothers, girlfriends and family members of the gang members to reveal where the guns were, who was doing the shooting and who was planning another killing.
“These crimes do not happen in a vacuum; people know about these incidents,” he pleaded, asking them to come forward and stop the cycle of violence.
Police enquiries into both murders are actively ongoing and anyone who has any information is asked to contact West Bay police station on 949-3999, or this new RCIPS confidential tip line 949-7777.
Police say they have also charged three other men with attempted murder in connection with a recent shooting in George Town. See Police hunt 3rd GT gunman.