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Gunmen invade Samuda’s home
Minister’s shotgun, ammunition and US currency stolen
BY PAUL HENRY Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserever.com
Thursday, July 01, 2010
GUNMEN yesterday held up workers at the Knollis, St Catherine home of Cabinet Minister Karl Samuda, locked them in a room before making their escape with the MP's shotgun and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition about 12:00 noon.
The men also made off with a quantity of US currency after cutting open a steel safe with a blowtorch, according to the police.
Cabinet Minister Karl Samuda speaks on his cellphone as he walks past a police car at his home in Knollis, St Catherine yesterday. The police were at Samuda’s home to investigate a robbery in which the minister’s shotgun, 100 rounds of ammunition and United States currency were stolen. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
Samuda: I really feel violated in a very real way
Cabinet Minister Karl Samuda speaks on his cellphone as he walks past a police car at his home in Knollis, St Catherine yesterday. The police were at Samuda’s home to investigate a robbery in which the minister’s shotgun, 100 rounds of ammunition and United States currency were stolen. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
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"I really feel violated in a very real way," Samuda, who was not home at the time, told the Observer yesterday.
The robbery came less than 24 hours after Samuda announced that he had met with area leaders in his constituency and informed them that he would not need their help in upcoming election campaigns, even if it cost him his seat.
But there was no indication yesterday that the minister's statement Tuesday rejecting dons had anything to do with the robbery at his home.
Inspector Paul Thomas, acting crime officer-in-charge of the St Catherine North Police Division, told the Observer on the scene that investigators were following strong leads that could lead to speedy arrests.
According to Inspector Thomas, two men with guns walked onto the 100-acre property and forced four workers into the main house on the premises where they were roughed up and locked into a room.
Police said the armed men spent about two hours inside the house before escaping on foot. The house was left ransacked.
The police said they were informed that two strange men were seen on the property Tuesday, but left after they were spotted.
Samuda's family members, some with long faces, gathered yesterday evening at the sprawling property, called Hyde Valley Farm, as they discussed the break-in and robbery.
But a resolute Samuda told the Observer that the incident only highlights the need for criminality to be rooted out of the society.
"This has only strengthed my resolve to help to rid the country of criminals," Samuda said. "Every Jamaica should join in and try their best to help fight criminality."
He said Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and other members of People's National Party, as well as members of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party called him to express their sympathy.
Samuda, who is general secretary of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and MP for North Central St Andrew, said he told the so-called area leaders that he would not support any activity that would result in breaking the law, intimidation and extortion.
"Gone were the days," Samuda said, "when persons engaged in gangsterism and donmanship could seek to find political affiliation to the JLP."
Samuda said he was following the lead of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in what he said was his unprecedented assault on crime.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...s-home_7763047
Minister’s shotgun, ammunition and US currency stolen
BY PAUL HENRY Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserever.com
Thursday, July 01, 2010
GUNMEN yesterday held up workers at the Knollis, St Catherine home of Cabinet Minister Karl Samuda, locked them in a room before making their escape with the MP's shotgun and approximately 100 rounds of ammunition about 12:00 noon.
The men also made off with a quantity of US currency after cutting open a steel safe with a blowtorch, according to the police.
Cabinet Minister Karl Samuda speaks on his cellphone as he walks past a police car at his home in Knollis, St Catherine yesterday. The police were at Samuda’s home to investigate a robbery in which the minister’s shotgun, 100 rounds of ammunition and United States currency were stolen. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
Samuda: I really feel violated in a very real way
Cabinet Minister Karl Samuda speaks on his cellphone as he walks past a police car at his home in Knollis, St Catherine yesterday. The police were at Samuda’s home to investigate a robbery in which the minister’s shotgun, 100 rounds of ammunition and United States currency were stolen. (Photo: Karl McLarty) 1/2 The robbery came less than 24 hours after Samuda announced that he had met with area leaders in his constituency and informed them that he would not need their help in upcoming election campaigns, even if it cost him his seat.
But there was no indication yesterday that the minister's statement Tuesday rejecting dons had anything to do with the robbery at his home.
Inspector Paul Thomas, acting crime officer-in-charge of the St Catherine North Police Division, told the Observer on the scene that investigators were following strong leads that could lead to speedy arrests.
According to Inspector Thomas, two men with guns walked onto the 100-acre property and forced four workers into the main house on the premises where they were roughed up and locked into a room.
Police said the armed men spent about two hours inside the house before escaping on foot. The house was left ransacked.
The police said they were informed that two strange men were seen on the property Tuesday, but left after they were spotted.
Samuda's family members, some with long faces, gathered yesterday evening at the sprawling property, called Hyde Valley Farm, as they discussed the break-in and robbery.
But a resolute Samuda told the Observer that the incident only highlights the need for criminality to be rooted out of the society.
"This has only strengthed my resolve to help to rid the country of criminals," Samuda said. "Every Jamaica should join in and try their best to help fight criminality."
He said Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and other members of People's National Party, as well as members of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party called him to express their sympathy.
Samuda, who is general secretary of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and MP for North Central St Andrew, said he told the so-called area leaders that he would not support any activity that would result in breaking the law, intimidation and extortion.
"Gone were the days," Samuda said, "when persons engaged in gangsterism and donmanship could seek to find political affiliation to the JLP."
Samuda said he was following the lead of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in what he said was his unprecedented assault on crime.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...s-home_7763047
As I told gamma some years past, I am consistent!
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