Amelia’s Ward gunman leads cops to two bodies

Police were this afternoon led to two bodies, a mile up the Kara Kara creek by Colin Jones, a suspect in the Health Ministry arson, who said he murdered them.

The police also found two AK-47’s with ammunition, a boat and a boat and an engine in a field of marijuana. One of the dead men is believed to be Kurt Thierens who had fled from the Providence lock-ups with Jones. There is no indication as to who the other victim is. Sources say that Jones has told police that he killed one of the men on November 12th and the other man was killed three days ago.

At around 6.45 pm the police issued the following release:

“At about 1600h. yesterday Thursday November 25, 2010, the police responded to information received that a man was seen in the Amelia’s Ward, Linden, area and acting suspiciously.

“Upon their arrival the man was not seen but further information was received which led to the recovery, in a bushy area at Amelia’s Ward, of an AK 47 Rifle, seven magazines, 198 rounds 7.62 x 39 ammunition, 2 pairs handcuff, one camouflage bullet-proof vest, a green long-sleeved overcoat, a green camouflage haversack and a bible. Photograph attached.

“While ranks were dealing with this matter, another police patrol responded to a report that a man was seen walking along the Amelia’s Ward Public Road with what appeared to be a grenade in his hand. As the ranks approached the suspect he threw the grenade at the police and ran into the nearby bushes while the ranks were taking evasive action. The ranks pursued the suspect during which they came under fire from him and they returned fire. He however managed to elude the police.

“The grenade did not explode and was taken possession of by the police.

“The area was cordoned off and with the assistance of additional ranks from Force Headquarters the search for the suspect continued way into the night.

“At about 0300h. today police responded to further information received that a man clad in underwear only was seen at Amelia’s Ward and arrested the man who had a suspected gunshot wound to his shoulder.

“He has been identified as wanted man Colin Jones called “Bunny” for whom a wanted bulletin was issued and who has been on the run for some time now and was the man seen earlier on the Amelia’s Ward Public Road with the grenade.

“Acting on further information the police today discovered the decomposed bodies of two men in separate shallow graves in the backlands of the Kara Kara Creek, Linden.

“A makeshift camp covered with a tarpaulin was found in that area and in the camp two AK 47 Rifles without magazines, a quantity of 7.62 x 39 rounds, a grenade, two bullet-proof vests, and a number of flares were found.

“Two fields with about 1,800 cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants ranging between 2 feet and 6 feet in height were found and destroyed by the police ranks who also found a 10 feet boat with a 5hp. Yamaha outboard motor engine in a swampy area adjoining the creek. Investigations are continuing.”

The bizarre turn of events came after Jones had terrorized residents of Amelia’s Ward on Thursday morning and engaged in a stand-off with the police. He was finally captured this morning.

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud this afternoon told this newspaper in a telephone interview that the man who had lobbed a grenade at ranks who tried to capture him on Thursday, has stated who he killed and why he committed the act.

It was noted that a team of investigators along with the man have gone to the location which according to Persaud is “somewhere up the river from Linden deep in a creek”.

Persaud was not prepared to release the names of those alleged to have been killed since the information has not yet been verified.

According to the Crime Chief when Jones was arrested in Amelia’s Ward this morning he was only clad in a pair of pants. He did not have any weapons in his possession.

Persaud explained that Jones was charged with the Ministry of Health fire but later escaped from Providence lock-ups.

The crime chief said that the wanted man was later linked to the hijacking of a vehicle on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, the subsequent murder of one of the occupants, arson on the Supreme Court, arson on the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, an attack on the East Ruimveldt outpost and shooting of two policemen at the Brickdam Police Station barracks.

Kurt Thierens
Kurt Thierens

A wanted bulletin was issued for Jones and a number of other men.

The arms, ammo and other items found by police. (Police photo)
The arms, ammo and other items found by police. (Police photo)
Colin Jones
Colin Jones