Two die in Manchester highway crash tied to St Elizabeth burglary as masked men raid Scotia Bank ABM in Portmore

Detectives in Manchester and St Elizabeth are tracing a chain of events that they believe connects a Saturday crash on Highway 2000 in Manchester to a break-in at a business near Redbank junction in St Elizabeth.

Police sources say a Toyota that burst into flames after crashing in the early hours was likely used as a getaway vehicle following the robbery. Thieves reportedly took $1.5 million in cash, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, phone cards valued at $2.5 million, a cash register, and other items from the establishment. Highway patrol officers tried to stop the car on the eastbound lane of the highway when the driver refused and later lost control. Both occupants were burned beyond recognition.

In a separate incident in St Catherine, masked men are believed to have removed a large sum of cash from an automated banking machine at a Scotia Bank branch at Britain Park in Portmore. Reports indicate that between 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and early Sunday morning, culprits broke into the ABM service room and stole cash believed to total millions of dollars in Jamaican and United States currency. Well-placed sources said surveillance footage shows men dressed in black, wearing gloves, and driving a grey Nissan Latio sedan onto the bank compound before entering the service room. Security codes were reportedly used to open several ABM safes. Police declined to comment publicly, and investigations continue.

A 22-year-old man, Master J At Atkinson of the Union district, was stabbed to death on Sunday near Balaclavvern close to the Union Main Road in St Elizabeth. Police said his body was discovered around 7:00 a.m. with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at hospital.

In Manchester, a man died from injuries sustained in a suspected hit-and-run on Spirit Tree Main Road on Sunday. Police have not yet identified him. Officers were alerted in the early hours to find his body on the roadway with lacerations. The Area 3 Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Unit is handling the case.

Five Jamaican nationals are among six people indicted in the United States over an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud said to have targeted elderly Americans since 2022. Prosecutors allege the accused posed as Publishers Clearing House representatives and tricked victims into paying upfront fees for taxes or prizes that did not exist. Investigators say some victims also had personal and banking details stolen, while others had social security benefits diverted into accounts controlled by the accused. The Jamaicans named are Andre John Gale, Ali Maine, Andre Chevvers, Matthew Hutchinson, and Courtney Reynolds. The sixth defendant, Rashan Thompson, is an American citizen. They face multiple counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy, each carrying a maximum 20-year sentence. Five have pleaded not guilty; two remain in custody while the others were released on bond pending trial.