Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORTLAND:
IT WAS a display of sheer professionalism which led to the apprehension of reputed crime lord, Charlie Junior - Portland's most wanted, by the police on January 20 without any incident.
The 53-year-old man has in the past unleashed a wave of terror on residents at Millbank - extending to the neighbouring parish of St. Thomas. It was with virtual impunity that he formulated and managed to carry out a barrage of illicit practices involving crimes ranging from rape and abduction to extortion, murder, aggravated robbery and shooting with intent - while eluding the police for more than 15 years.
Operations officer in charge of Portland, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hartnell Brown said the operation which led to Junior's capture was carried out in a professional manner by the Millbank police, who also displayed a high level of intelligent policing.
"To be able to capture Portland's most wanted without any incident or confrontation, must be a lauded effort," said DSP Brown. "The police have been coming under a lot of criticism from various human rights group regarding our crime-fighting strategies. But the Portland police have shown, in no uncertain manner, that our intentions are always to apprehend without the use of force or hostility."
The arrest of Junior, who is also popularly called 'King of the Woods', has removed fears from the minds of many residents at Millbank, who are still lauding the efforts of the police.
But although Junior is safely behind bars, some residents might still not be able to overcome the nightmare, and many have stated that the alleged rape carried out by Junior, on a 16-year-old schoolgirl last year, will never be forgotten. The girl was reportedly severely traumatised by the ordeal.
Junior was caught in a dragnet set up by the Millbank police about 12:40 p.m. on Friday, January 20, near the border of Portland and St. Thomas in the deep forest, largely populated by bamboos and pine trees.
At the time of his arrest, Junior was carrying a 14-inch hunting knife, a dagger and a quantity of ganja. Before his apprehension he was last seen by the St. Thomas police in 2004, when they raided a hut, believed to be occupied by him at the time, and reportedly recovered 43 rounds of assorted ammunition and three home-made shotguns.
