The court heard that the accused was held in Westport, St. Catherine, on June 20, with a magazine and a BB gun, a chilum pipe and several rounds of ammunition. He was granted bail in the sum of $300,000, on condition that he reports to the Bridgeport police twice weekly, surrender his travel documents and stay home between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.

The policeman reported the matter to the JCF’s Anti-Corruption Branch, and telephone conversations between Powell and the policeman were later recorded. A sting operation was set up, and Powell was allegedly caught handing over $10,000 to the cop. The incident was also reportedly videotaped.

According to reports, several police officers were on duty along the volatile March Pen Road in Spanish Town at approximately 7:20 p.m. The madman reportedly sneaked up on one of the policemen and grabbed his gun from its holster. After getting the weapon, the man reportedly pointed it and began firing at the lawmen who took evasive action. The man was eventually shot by another policeman, but he managed to run away and jumped into a nearby canal, where he was later found dead.

Up to late last night, the police were unable to find their colleague’s firearm, but were still searching the area.

Minister of National Security, Dwight Nelson, announced yesterday that police posts will be set up in all communities that the Government has moved in to dismantle criminal gangs, with Tivoli being the first.

West Kingston already has four police stations – at Denham Town, Fletcher’s Land, Hannah Town and on Darling Street – and it is expected that this new Tivoli police post will be key in the maintenance of law and order, as they seek to ensure that criminals do not turn communities into untouchable criminal strongholds.

According to police reports, the arsonists used an old mattress and clothing to start a fire which damaged sections of the building. The premises had been acquired by the Ministry of National Security just a few weeks ago, and was earmarked for use as a police post, following a bloodbath in McGhee Top in Salt Spring, when gunmen went on a murderous spree, killing five men. National Security Minister, Dwight Nelson, had said the post would house a joint police/military contingent of no less than 40, and would be able to respond to citizen requests for assistance within a four-minute time span.

The work of the arsonists has not deterred the police however, as they have now fast tracked their plans to get the police post operational.

Miraculously, none of the policemen in the vehicle were hit during the onslaught.