( L - R ) Peter Johnson, Eldon Calvert, Rohan Gordon and Cedric Murray

WESTERN BUREAU:

One of St. James' four most wanted men was turned in to police last night after Commissioner Lucius Thomas yesterday announced a $1 million bounty for their capture.

He is Peter Johnson, otherwise called 'Ravers' of Red Dirt, in Flankers.

"We have linked these persons to most of the murders and other serious crimes in the parish," the police chief told members of the media during a press conference in Montego Bay just hours earlier.

"As the Commissioner of Police, I am offering $250,000 for each of these individuals for information leading to their capture."

The other three men have been identified as Cedric 'Doggie' Murray of Glendevon; Eldon Calvert of a Salt Spring address; and, Rohan 'Don' Gordon, a major player in the notorious Stone Crusher gang based in Norwood.

"I am making a public appeal to Peter Johnson, Cedric Murray, Eldon Calvert and Rohan Gordon to give themselves up peacefully, as otherwise they will be hunted relentlessly and brought to justice," Mr. Thomas declared.

The commissioner noted that the bounty is a short-term approach to tackling the crime problem in St. James. The establishing of task forces, including an arm of Operation Kingfish, and a review of the deployment and effectiveness of police community partnerships and community policing, are among the long-term solutions.

"It is my strong belief that it is only when we engage citizens directly in their communities we will be able to fight crime effectively," stated Commissioner Thomas.

Corrupt cops

The police chief said he has also instructed the Professional Standards Branch to vigorously pursue intelligence on police personnel involved in corrupt activities.

"More and more intelligence is pointing to a few of our members in gang-related activities right here in St. James," the officer stated. "So far, in this parish, 10 officers have been charged and many others are being targeted."