WESTERN BUREAU:

Four persons, one of whom is believed to be a financier of the 'Stone Crusher' gang in St. James, were taken into custody for questioning yesterday during an operation targeting members of the notorious criminal group.

"It was a targeted operation in which our data led us to the Salt Spring area where two of our most wanted men, namely Gerado Taylor and Eldon Calvert, are located," commented Superintendent Steve McGregor, commanding officer for the St. James Police Division.

"We had contact with them in the early morning, but they eluded us and we pursued them into the Bird Hill area in Salt Spring."

greeted with gunfire

The Gleaner understands that there was a fierce gun battle between the security forces and members of the gang. It is said that members of the security forces were greeted with gunfire on entering the Salt Spring area shortly after 4:00 a.m.

At press time, the security forces were still combing bushes leading to adjoining communities in search of the wanted men.

The joint police-military operation also involved police personnel drawn from Operation Kingfish and the Mobile Reserve unit.

"The operation is part of the strategy we have been employing in St. James, especially to find the major players behind the homicides," said Superintendent McGregor.

While the security forces were in Salt Spring, an unidentified dreadlocked man was shot and killed by gunmen at Providenc near Flankers. Later, about 4:30 p.m., another murder occurred in the Bayroute area of Ros in the parish.

"It is challenging but we are committed to the task of finding these criminals and bringing a sense of calm to St. James. It is going to be a long haul," Superintendent McGregor said.

He added: "We have been going after their support base and we use the opportunity to appeal to persons not to give safe haven to these people, because persons will find themselves in trouble if they are found culpable."