POLICE CONSTABLE Horace Roberts was charged by Flying Squad detectives on Thursday, with 30 counts of robbery. Investigators allege that he engineered a series of armed robberies against returning residents in several parishes.Also charged were 30-year-old carpenter, Robert Hurd and 30-year-old Richard Ewart. All were charged with 30 counts of robbery with aggravation.
Two females have also been charged with receiving stolen property. They have been identified as 26-year-old Princess John of Maiden Lane, Kingston and a 16-year-old of Scott's Pass, Clarendon.
Roberts, Hurd and Ewart were arrested on October 22 by detectives from the Flying Squad in connection with several robberies of returned residents between May 2004 and October 2005.
Yesterday, Percival LaTouche, president of the Association for the Resettlement of Returning Residents, welcomed news of charges being laid against the individuals.
100 RESIDENTS ROBBED
According to Mr. LaTouche, since the start of the year more than 100 returned residents have been robbed, compared with 27 last year.
Last month when The Gleaner reported that the first seven counts of robberies had been laid against the three accused, Deputy Superintendent of Police Cornwall 'Bigga' Ford had said more charges would have been laid against them by the end of the year. They are scheduled to return to court on January 6.
