Adrian Frater, News Editor
The house where a wanted man was apprehended by the Operation Kingfish team yesterday morning in the Black Shop area of St. James..
WESTERN BUREAU: BLACK SHOP, located just outside John's Hall, in St. James, is
normally a picture of peace and tranquility, far removed from the high-profile excitement normally associated with life in the nation's major urban centres.
Yesterday morning, residents of the quaint mist-covered farming community, awoke to find a section of their district blanketed by heavily-armed security
personnel from the Operation Kingfish
task force.
The excitement quickly turned to surprise, as residents looked at each other with amazement, when they heard one of the nation's most-wanted fugitives was
earlier apprehended at a house in the
community.
A SAFE HAVEN
The district, a mixture of hilly terrain and steep valleys, is where the wanted man, who recently had a $100,000 bounty place on his head, considered a safe haven.
"We are quite surprised that such a
dangerous man was living among us," said an elderly woman, who described the community as a church-loving God-
fearing one. "We don't condone slackness around here and I must say shame on the person who took that man here."
Besides its strong farming tradition, Black Shop is also popular for a river that runs through the community. It is not unusual for residents from the community and adjoining areas to be seen enjoying the soothing water during the early morning hours.
In fact, the small board house, where the fugitive was found, is located on the bank of the river, surrounded by breadfruit, ackee and mango trees. The gangster reportedly had a bath in the river late Friday afternoon.
"He came down to the football field and play with us, but we never knew who he was," said a youngster from the community. "After the game, he went to river, had a bath and then left."
As security personnel searched the yard where the fugitive was found, residents seemed relieved he was caught. "I am happy he was caught because a man like that is capable of dangerous things," said an elderly woman.
