Police detain six in St. James

WESTERN BUREAU:

IN A special operation on Sunday led by Det. Supt. John Morris who is in charge of crime, Police Area One, the police raided several troubled communities on the outskirts of Montego Bay, taking six men into custody.

A firearm with cartridges, and household items believed to be stolen, were also seized in the operation in Hendon, Norwood, Green Pond and the Salt Spring areas of St. James.

Six men who are being questioned about crimes that have been committed in Montego Bay and its environs, are to face an identification parade.

The raid came two days after Cornwall College teacher, Edmond Barnes, 41, was shot to death as he went to the aid of a colleague who was being robbed.

It was the latest in a series of raids in those communities in an attempt by the police to bring the upsurge in crime in Norwood and Glendevon, especially, back to more tolerable levels.

The Friday night shooting at the Teachers' quarters on the grounds of the school, occurred as Mr. Barnes tried to reverse his car into one of the three gunmen. He was shot four times and pronounced dead at Cornwall Regional Hospital, Montego Bay. His colleague was robbed of some $10,000 in cash and valuables, but was unharmed.

The police suspect that the firearm seized might be the murder weapon. They have recovered ballistics evidence from the teacher's car and have sent it for tests at the Forensic Science Laboratory, Kingston.

Results of the tests are expected by the weekend.

The police say they charged Anthony "Alvin Brown" Bent, 27, with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition after he was held in Norwood with a .357 calibre Magnum revolver and five rounds.

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