Police recover firearms following Linden operation; three suspects in custody

Police ranks recovered two firearms and a quantity of marijuana at the Wisroc, Linden house where they confronted five suspected bandits on Wednesday, killing one, injuring another and successfully arresting the remaining three.

The News Room previously reported that the incident which saw an exchange of gunfire between the police and civilians resulted in the death of 33-year-old Randy Jerome of One Mile, Linden.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Ronaldo Chapman called ‘Pappy’ of Half Mile, Linden suffered gunshot injuries and is hospitalised at the Linden Hospital Complex.

Police Headquarters in a statement clarified that at about 11:30 hrs, a team of police officers conducted an “intense” operation at Phase Three, Wisroc, Linden.

At the time, the police said they were acting on information received that Chapman and the other suspects who are wanted for a series of crimes including robbery and rape were at the house.

“On arrival at the house, the ranks observed three men sitting on the verandah. When they saw the Police in front of the house, one of the men (later identified as Jerome) whipped out a firearm from his waist, pointed it at the ranks and discharged rounds at them.

“The Police ranks took cover and observed Randy jump from the verandah and begin running in a northern direction whilst continuing to discharge rounds at Police in a bid to escape,” the statement explained.

Jerome was pursued by the police ranks who returned fire.

he was shot during the confrontation and a black .40 Berretta Pistol containing three live 9mm ammunition was retrieved.

The second firearm was allegedly found in Chapman’s possession.

Police said when ranks proceeded to the house, Chapman was seen at the doorway pointing a firearm at a rank. As a result, he was shot and fell to the ground.

The rank then retrieved a JA 9mm pistol containing six live 9mm ammunition in the magazine and one in the breach, the police added.

Jerome and Chapman were both escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were seen and treated by the doctor on duty.

Chapman remains a patient under police guard at the said medical institution. His condition is regarded as stable.

Jerome succumbed while receiving medical attention.

Further searches were conducted in the house where one black plastic bag containing 75 transparent ziploc bags with suspected cannabis and a portion of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were discovered in the bag which was on a sofa in the house.

“Meanwhile, ranks conducted searches in the area and recovered five suspected 9mm empty casings. The suspected marijuana was weighed and amounted to 458 grams,” the police said.