Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

This car is among the 25 stolen motor vehicles that were recovered over the past three weeks, by members of the Organised Crime Investigation Division. - Colin Hamilton/ Freelance Photographer

A number of garages and business enterprises which are believed to be the recipients of stolen motor vehicle parts are now under the microscope of a team of senior lawmen of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID).

"We have identified some of these places already," head of OCID, Senior Superintendent Devon Watkis, disclosed yesterday, while speaking with The Gleaner.

Of the 25 stolen motor vehicles recovered by the division over the past three weeks, at least three of the cars were discovered in the car lot of a used-cars dealer.

In another operation, SSP Watkis said a garage with motor vehicle parts was raided. The investigators believe about 12 cars were stolen and scrapped at that location.

Forming an alliance

"We are in the process of forming an alliance with the policy makers for them to assist us in getting to those persons who have been facilitating the processing of these stolen motor vehicles," said SSP Watkis.

The OCID, he said, will be working more closely with the Inland Revenue department to assist with its investigations.

The police believe that vehicles such as Hondas and Toyotas are being targeted because of the demand for their parts.

The senior officer said his team has been working in collaboration with other sections of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, probing the various methods criminals have been using to steal motor vehicles.

Recently, two men were held in connection with a vehicle that was stolen at the Rebel Salute stage show, held in St. Elizabeth. One of the men had in his possession a bunch of keys, which the police suspect they had been using to enter other vehicles.

"We are assisting with that investigation also," said SSP Watkis.

Commenting on how prevalent the practice of using duplicate or specially made keys to enter other people's vehicles was, the officer said they have not had many reports of this practice.

"I can remember one case where we investigated a locksmith who went and made some observation of a car. He then went and made a key," said SSP Watkis.