One police officer has been arrested while the hunt goes on for the recapture of an escaped convict. This latest twist relates to a shooting incident which took place here on February 1, 2013.
During what is expected to be a quarterly meeting between the Commissioner of Police and the media on Thursday February 7, 2013, acting ACP for crime Anastasius Mason took time out to update the media on how certain cases were progressing.
Asked about the matter of a shooting incident here involving a Canadian national he had this to say; “what I can say in relation to the shooting incent last week is that right now we have two persons in custody and charges will be laid against them imminently. The Canadian gentleman himself has been discharged from hospital.”
The incident occurred at Mon Repos on February 1, 2013 at about 12:10 pm where Adaisania Ojo sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to St Jude’s Hospital. He was treated and admitted in a critical condition. However over the next few days his condition stabilized.
Later that day, Jamaican national Miguel Garrett aka Deno B’Journ Thomas along with Teddy Walcott of Grass Street, Castries were arrested for the attempted murder of Adisania Ojo. The pair were reportedly attempting at the time to “clean out” a hotel room in Rodney Bay where Ojo was staying according to police sources. The two accused were kept in custody at the Vieux Fort police station. However according to a press statement from the RSLPF Tuesday, on Saturday 9 February 2013 at about 9:00 pm, officers attached to the Vieux Fort Police Station discovered that 22-year-old Deno B’Journ Thomas also known as Miguel Jonathon Garnett had escaped lawful custody.
Investigations into the matter have since led to the arrest of one police officer who is expected to be charged shortly with aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner. Since then a warrant of arrest has been issued for Deno B’Journ Thomas and the RSLPF is seeking the assistance of the public in recapturing this criminal. Persons with information pertaining to the whereabouts of the escaped prisoner are asked to call 999 or the nearest police station.
According to the police, Deno B’Journ Thomas is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 191 lbs. He is of fair complexion, brown eyes, black hair and has a moustache and a beard. He is muscular in built and carries a cross tattoo with wings on his right shoulder and an angel playing a harp on the left shoulder. The word “Leonter” is written above the tattoo on the left shoulder and below it has the letters “NHT”. The escaped prisoner’s last known address was Marisule, Castries.
According to police press officer Innocent the public is being asked not to approach this individual as he may be armed and dangerous.
“We are seeking the assistance of the public but are asking that they act cautiously. For our part we are leaving no stones unturned as we attempt to recapture the prisoner and bring him to justice,” she stated.
On the question of the police officer arrested for aiding and abetting the prisoner she added that justice in that instance will be allowed to run its course and that charges against one of their own was expected to be laid this week.
During the aforementioned meeting last week with the police commissioner, police chief Vernon Francois thanked the public for their continued support in the fight against crime adding that community police which his department engaged in in 2012 had worked well and would be continued this year. He however warned that on the other hand whilst criminals would not be dealt with lightly rogue cops seeking to sully the name of the RSLPF would not be tolerated.
“We want to work further on the increase public confidence and trust in the police department. I know that’s an area that people have had their concerns. People have raised concerns about the trust of police officers,” Francois told reporters Thursday.
“We appreciate that in any organization that there are going to be people
that will not follow the
value of the organization
and who will bring down the good name of the organization. So we are proposing to continue targeting these people who are aimed at bringing own the values and the good name of the police force,” he added.
“However blaming the entire police force for the errant behaviour of some undermines confidence in the police department, Francois went on to say adding that the majority of police officers do their very best at working on improving the police department.
Update: Miguel Garrett turned himself in to police on Wednesday. The police officer has been charged and placed on remand.
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