ZEKES
MATTHEWS LANE strongman, Donald 'Zekes' Phipps, was yesterday detained by police who have linked him to the deaths of two men in west Kingston over a month ago.
As news of Zekes' detention spread, police and military personnel moved into sections of west Kingston to ensure calm in Matthews Lane and neighbouring communities which have shown almost fanatic loyalty to the area leader.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mark Shields and Assistant Commissioner of Police, George Williams, led the security detail that conducted searches of premises in Matthews Lane at around 12:30 p.m.
As they did, a curious crowd gathered at the entrance to Matthews Lane. DCP Shields told The Gleaner that 'Zekes' was arrested as he left the Half-Way Tree Resident Magistrate's Court.
"Mr. Phipps has been arrested under suspicion for the murder of Leroy Farquharson. He has been brought to these premises in Matthews Lane which have been searched," said DCP Shields.
BAYSHORE PARK CONNECTION
On April 15, Farquharson and an unidentified colleague were shot and killed and their bodies burnt and dumped in an open lot in Rose Lane, a community that adjoins Matthews Lane.
Farquharson, 30, lived in Bayshore Park, a squatter settlement in east St. Andrew. Prior to moving to that community, however, he had reportedly resided in Matthews Lane where he befriended some of the area's influential figures.
Two days after the gruesome deaths of Farquharson and his friend, four persons were murdered at Everest Drive in Bayshore Park. Police have not linked the two cases.
'Zekes', who was on bail, was at the Half-Way Tree Court yesterday to answer charges of illegal possession of 26 rounds of ammunition, pharmaceuticals, as well as possession of two pounds of marijuana which were discovered at his Matthews Lane store last October during a police raid.
