Police issue ‘unqualified apology’ to ‘Jumbie’ Jones

– say arrest was case of mistaken identity

The Guyana Police Force yesterday offered an “unqualified apology” to actor and stand-up comedian Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones for his incarceration last weekend, which they described as a case of mistaken identity.

“The Police Force wishes to offer an unqualified apology for the consternation and/or trepidation the arrest of Lyndon Jones may have caused his family, friends and himself,” the police in a release yesterday said. According to the release, which the force said was issued to “clear the air,” investigations revealed that at about 22:23 hrs on December 23, 2010, the police received a report of an armed robbery in Tucville, Georgetown, during which businessman Somora Jordon, 25, of Somerset Court, East Bank Demerara, was attacked and robbed of his cell phone and jewellery by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.  “Following this, information was passed via the police radio network that one ‘Jumbie’ and one ‘Satan’ were being sought after for the robbery,” the release said. The release said subsequently ranks of a police motorcycle patrol spotted Jones also known as ‘Jumbie’ and arrested him and took him into custody at the Brickdam Police Station on December 24, 2010. “Due to the intense policing and the holiday period it was not until Monday, December 27, 2010, following queries and intervention by the Assistant Commissioner Law Enforcement, that it was recognised that the person in custody was not the ‘Jumbie’ who was wanted in connection with the robbery. He is still at large,” police stated.

Contacted yesterday Jones, who saw a copy of the police release, declined to make a comment.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud is the Assistant Commissioner of Law Enforcement and when this newspaper had contacted him on Tuesday he had stated he was unaware of Jones’ arrest but had indicated the actor was not wanted by the police.

Jones, 44, was arrested outside Nigel’s Supermarket on Christmas Eve and taken to the Brickdam Police Station, where he was booked for robbery under arms. After spending three nights in the Brickdam lock-ups, he was released on Monday afternoon. He was not placed on bail nor was he told to report back to the station and no allegation was put to him. He said he was at a loss as to where the alleged robbery occurred and against whom.

One day after he was released Jones had met Head of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Clifton Hickens who had apologised to him.
“Mr Hickens told me, ‘Jumbie I am sorry. I don’t how the guys made such a mistake but as soon as I found out you were locked up, I ordered you released,’” Jones had recounted to Stabroek News. He added: “I am a nice person and I don’t want to seek revenge but all through the ordeal I had a perception in my mind that I was being victimised because I spoke out about a matter involving my nephew and sister and a senior police officer.” Jones’ nephew and the officer reportedly shared a relationship with the same woman and when the union between the young man and woman soured, there was a major misunderstanding which led to him being arrested. In the process, Jones’ sister, the mother of his nephew, was also arrested for “harbouring a criminal.” (The woman works at the Guyana Police Force day care centre and it was a petition by her colleagues to the Office of Commissioner of Police Henry Greene that resulted in her being released on $5,000 bail.) His nephew, meanwhile, has since been charged and is on bail. Jones said he was very upset about the way the matter was handled, especially after his sister was arrested. He had repeatedly spoken about it on his ‘Let’s Gaff GT Style’ talk show, which is aired on Channel 2.  His relatives and friends are convinced that his subsequent arrest stemmed from the matter and it was done to teach him a lesson. “To be honest, I don’t know how to pursue this matter and I am seeking legal advice. But this could be the end of the matter for me because someone said they are sorry and I would not mind if the police issue a public apology,” Jones had said. However, on the other hand, Jones also said he felt he had an obligation to his fans and citizens of Guyana to not just drop the matter as he has always advised persons to stand up for their rights. “…People are telling me to fight the matter because if I don’t the police would continue to mistreat and harass people,” he said. “People are telling me that this is an opportunity to help others,” he had said.