Stolen firearm recovered in Mandeville Market, suspect questioned by police
Police in Mandeville recovered a licensed gun and 11 rounds of ammo after a tip-off led officers to a suspect near the market. The weapon had been stolen from a woman's car parked at a local business.
Licensed firearm stolen from parked car, found in unfinished building near Mandeville Market
Mandeville police have recovered a licensed firearm and 11 rounds of ammunition following a weekend operation, after the weapon was stolen from a motor vehicle parked at a business in the town earlier in the week, jamaica-gleaner.com reports.
Officers moved after receiving information that a man had been spotted in the Mandeville Market carrying the weapon. The suspect was held and questioned, and subsequently directed investigators to an unfinished building close to the market, where the firearm and ammunition were found.
Superintendent Odean Dennis, the officer in charge of the Mandeville police, said the weapon belonged to a woman who had left it inside a bag in her car, along with other items. Detectives are now investigating the theft and examining whether the firearm holder was negligent in the storage and care of the weapon. The identity of the man detained has been withheld pending further investigations.
Dennis said this was the first incident of its kind reported in the parish since the start of the year. He nonetheless cautioned licensed firearm holders against careless handling and storage, warning that stolen firearms could fall into the hands of criminals and place entire communities at risk.
Under Section 74 of Jamaica's Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, 2022, authorisation holders are legally required to store their weapons and ammunition securely to prevent unauthorised access. Breaching that requirement is an offence, carrying a fine of up to $5 million or imprisonment of up to five years upon conviction in the parish court. The law also provides for the revocation of a firearm authorisation where its holder is convicted of negligence resulting in the loss or theft of a firearm or ammunition. Holders are further required to report any lost or stolen weapon to police immediately upon discovering the loss — failure to do so without reasonable excuse is itself an offence.
Against that backdrop, Dennis outlined six precautions that licensed carriers should follow.
"Individuals should carry their weapon on their person when in public or leave it secured in a safe at home when going out. Weapons should not be left inside motor vehicles, regardless of how briefly the owner intends to be away," he said.
He advised firearm holders who bring weapons to their workplace to install safes at their business premises and secure the firearms while on site. Owners should also keep weapons out of sight and avoid disclosing to a wide circle of people that they hold a firearms licence.
Dennis additionally recommended that licensed holders install surveillance systems at both their homes and business places, to deter theft and aid any subsequent police investigation.
The superintendent stressed that negligent storage, use and care of firearms could carry serious consequences — not only for the weapon's owner, but for the broader community as well.
Source: Google News JM — Crime