Two arrested for stolen batteries


A total of 180 Radio Base Station Batteries valuing $11 million were recovered by the Flying Squad recently, and also led to the arrest of two men.


The men are considered to be significant players in a major 'battery-stealing ring' targeting telecommunications service providers.


The men have been identified as 40-year-old Oniel Nicely, otherwise called 'Bang Shoot' or 'Short Man' of Mango Valley district in St Mary, and 52-year-old Kenrick Johnson of Jacks River, St. Mary.


Both men were charged with receiving stolen property and possession of criminal property when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court. They are to return to court on September 15.


generators


Over the period January 2013 to July 2014, over 2,300 Radio Base Station Batteries were stolen from cell sites across Jamaica, along with diesel fuel used in the generators. The theft and damage to equipment cost one company over $100 million.


Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Flying Squad, SSP Cornwall Ford, is encouraging the telecommunications providers to visit the Flying Squad's Harbour Street office to identify stolen batteries.


SSP Ford is also encouraging persons who may have purchased batteries from suspicious persons to contact the Flying Squad.


He is also imploring persons to purchase batteries from legitimate sources only, as persons found with stolen batteries in their possession will be prosecuted.



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