Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

The St. Catherine police took a man and a woman into custody yesterday in connection with a car stealing ring after locating some 50 Toyota motor cars in bushes in the parish.

About 40 of the vehicles, cut into various pieces, are believed to be 2003 and 2004 models of the Toyota Corolla.

According to Inspector Selwyn Williams of the Old Harbour police, who led the operation about 7:00 am, the police, acting on information, went into the area which is situated more than two miles off the main road. When they arrived on the scene, they spotted the massive operation concealed by large bushes and other shrubbery.

Chassis numbers removed

Further checks revealed that the vehicles had all their chassis numbers removed by welding torch. Several items of clothing and other personal effects, such as identification cards, were recovered by the lawmen.

One of the victims, Pastor Harold Blake, who visited the scene to identify his scrapped motor car was almost in a state of shock.

"I went to Jolly's in Portmore about 2:30 p.m. on November 25. After I parked my vehicle and returned, it is the spot that I saw," Pastor Blake said. He said the vehicle was equipped with an alarm which failed to alert him when it was being stolen.

Several of the other vehicles which were seen at the site were also equipped with alarms. The police said the men seemed to be well organised and that the estimated value of the find was about $40 million.

Further investigations are to be conducted to determine the involvement of the woman and the man who have been taken into custody.